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B1 verb #48 most common 11 min read

bid

Top 48

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips bid in 30 Seconds

Explanation bid in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'bid' is a difficult word because it is not used in very simple daily talk. However, you might see it if you look at a website like eBay. It means to say how much money you want to pay for something. For example, 'I bid 10 dollars.' It is like saying 'I offer 10 dollars.' You use it when you want to buy something and other people also want to buy it. The person who says the highest number wins. It is a short word, which makes it easy to remember, but you must remember it is for buying things in a special way. You don't use it in a normal shop. In a shop, you just pay the price. In an auction, you bid. It is also used to say 'goodbye' in a very formal way, like 'I bid you goodbye,' but you will mostly hear 'Goodbye' or 'See you.' Focus on the buying meaning first.

For A2 learners, 'bid' starts to appear in news stories or simple business contexts. It still means to offer a price, but you might see it as a noun too, like 'a bid.' If you are playing a game, you might 'bid' points. It is important to know that 'bid' doesn't change much in the past. You say 'I bid yesterday' (not bidded). You might hear it in stories when someone says 'goodnight.' For example, 'He bid her goodnight.' This is a polite and slightly old-fashioned way to speak. You should recognize that 'bid' is about making an offer or a statement of intent. If you see it in a headline like 'London's bid for the Olympics,' it means London wants to have the Olympics in their city. They are 'offering' to be the host. It is a useful word for describing competitions where people or cities want to win something.

At the B1 level, you should understand the multiple meanings of 'bid.' First, the auction meaning: to offer a specific price. Second, the business meaning: to 'bid for a contract.' This is when a company tells a customer how much they will charge for a job. Third, the 'attempt' meaning: a 'bid for power' or a 'bid to win.' This is very common in newspapers. You should also be aware of the formal use of 'bid' to mean 'tell' or 'greet,' such as 'bid someone welcome.' At this level, you should be careful with prepositions. You 'bid on' an item but 'bid for' a contract or a goal. You should also know the noun form 'bidding,' as in 'The bidding started at $50.' This refers to the whole process of people making offers. It is a versatile word that helps you talk about business, sports, and formal social situations with more precision.

B2 learners should be comfortable using 'bid' in professional and academic contexts. You should understand the concept of a 'bidding war,' where prices rise quickly because many people want the same thing. You should also know the past tense 'bade' for formal greetings, although 'bid' is often used now. In business, 'bid' is a key term in procurement and finance. You might read about a 'takeover bid,' which is when one company tries to buy another. You should also understand the idiomatic use of 'at someone's bidding,' which means doing something because someone else told you to. For example, 'He did it at his boss's bidding.' This level requires you to distinguish between 'bid' and synonyms like 'tender' or 'propose.' 'Bid' is more common in general competition, while 'tender' is specific to formal business offers. You should also be able to use 'bid' to describe strategic attempts in politics or sports, recognizing its punchy, active tone.

At the C1 level, you should master the nuances of 'bid' across all its registers. This includes its use in literature, where 'bid' can mean to command or invite ('He bid them stay'). You should understand the subtle difference between 'bid' and 'tender' in legal and business documents. You should also be familiar with the 'bid-ask spread' in finance, which is the difference between the highest price a buyer will pay and the lowest price a seller will accept. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's history—knowing that 'bade' is the traditional past tense for greetings but 'bid' is the modern standard for offers. You should be able to use 'bid' metaphorically in complex sentences, such as 'In a desperate bid to stave off inflation, the central bank raised interest rates.' This shows you can use the word to describe high-level economic and political strategies. You should also recognize 'bidding' as a noun that can describe a command or a request in a formal or poetic sense.

For C2 mastery, 'bid' should be a tool for precise and evocative expression. You should be able to use its archaic forms correctly in stylistic writing, such as using 'bade' or 'bidden' to create a specific tone. You should understand the etymological roots of the word, which come from two different Old English words (one meaning 'to pray/ask' and the other 'to offer/command'), which explains its diverse meanings today. You should be able to navigate the most technical financial discussions involving 'bidding' and 'ask prices' with ease. In creative writing, you might use 'bid' to describe a character's internal struggle, such as a 'bid for self-control.' You should also be aware of very specific idioms and rare uses, such as 'bid fair to' (meaning 'to seem likely to'). For example, 'The new project bids fair to be a great success.' This level of mastery means you can use 'bid' in any context—from a high-stakes corporate merger to a Shakespearean analysis—with perfect accuracy and stylistic flair.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

bid in 30 Seconds

To bid is primarily to offer a price for an item at an auction or to propose a cost for a business contract.
It also describes an attempt or effort to achieve a goal, such as winning a championship or a political election.
In formal settings, it means to express a greeting like 'goodbye' or to give a command to someone.
The word functions as both a verb and a noun, common in finance, sports, and formal literature.

The word bid is a versatile verb that primarily functions in the realms of commerce, competition, and formal social interactions. At its core, to bid is to make an offer. In a literal sense, this happens most frequently at auctions, where individuals bid against one another to purchase an item. However, the word extends far beyond the auction house. In business, companies bid for contracts, meaning they propose a price and a plan to complete a project. In a more abstract sense, it refers to an attempt to achieve something, such as a politician making a bid for the presidency. Historically, it also carried the meaning of commanding or inviting someone, though this is now considered archaic or highly formal.

Commercial Context: In the world of finance and trade, a bid is the price a buyer is willing to pay. This is often paired with the 'ask' price. When you bid on a stock, you are stating your maximum purchase price.

The construction firm decided to bid for the new bridge project despite the tight deadline.

When people use 'bid' in daily conversation, they are often referring to an effort or an attempt. If a runner is in a 'bid for the gold medal,' they are putting forth their maximum effort to win. This usage is common in news headlines because it is short and punchy. You might see headlines like 'City Bids for Olympic Games' or 'Tech Giant Bids for Rival Startup.' It conveys a sense of active pursuit and competition.

Social Context: To 'bid someone farewell' or 'bid someone goodnight' is a formal way of saying goodbye. It adds a layer of politeness and tradition to the interaction.

She bid her colleagues adieu before leaving for her new job in London.

In card games like Bridge, 'bidding' is a crucial phase where players predict how many tricks they will win. Here, the word takes on a technical, strategic meaning. It involves communication through specific numerical offers. Understanding the nuances of 'bid' requires looking at the environment: is it a marketplace, a sports arena, or a formal dinner party? Each setting shifts the meaning slightly while keeping the core concept of 'offering' or 'proposing' intact.

Competitive Context: When multiple parties want the same thing, they enter a bidding war. This increases the price or the stakes of the competition significantly.

The collector will bid on the rare painting during the evening session.

He made a desperate bid to save the company from bankruptcy.

Using 'bid' correctly involves identifying whether you are using it as a transitive or intransitive verb. When used in an auction context, you can bid 'for' an item or bid a specific amount. For example, 'I bid five hundred dollars for the antique clock.' In this case, 'bid' is followed by the amount and then the object of the bid. If you are using it to mean an attempt, it is often followed by 'for' or an infinitive phrase. 'The team is bidding to win their third consecutive championship.' Here, the infinitive 'to win' explains the goal of the bid.

Grammar Tip: When 'bid' means to command or tell someone to do something, it is followed by an object and an infinitive without 'to'. For example: 'He bid me enter.' (Though this is rare in modern speech).

They will bid against several other firms for the government contract.

In the context of greetings, 'bid' is usually followed by the person being addressed and the greeting itself. 'She bid him a fond farewell.' This structure is elegant and often found in literature. It is important to note that 'bid' does not usually take an '-ed' ending for the past tense in auction or attempt contexts. 'Yesterday, I bid on a car' is correct, not 'bidded'. However, in the greeting context, 'bade' is the traditional past tense: 'She bade him goodbye.'

Phrasal Variations: 'Bid up' means to increase the price of something by making higher and higher offers. 'The rival collectors bid up the price of the vase.'

Please bid only what you can afford to pay immediately.

When using 'bid' as a noun, it often takes the preposition 'for'. 'His bid for the leadership was unsuccessful.' It can also be used with 'on'. 'We placed a bid on the house.' Understanding these prepositional pairings is key to sounding natural. In business writing, 'bid' is often replaced by 'tender' or 'proposal' in very formal documents, but 'bid' remains the standard term for the act of offering a price.

Common Collocations: 'Winning bid', 'highest bid', 'takeover bid', 'opening bid'. These are essential phrases in economic discussions.

The auctioneer asked if anyone wanted to bid higher.

The city will bid to host the next international summit.

You will encounter 'bid' in several distinct environments. The most obvious is an auction house like Sotheby's or Christie's, or even online platforms like eBay. In these settings, the word is used constantly as a verb and a noun to describe the process of buying. Auctioneers will shout, 'Do I hear a bid?' or 'Who will bid fifty?' This is the most literal and common application of the word in modern life.

News and Media: Journalists love the word 'bid' because it is short and fits well in headlines. It is used to describe political campaigns, corporate takeovers, and sports goals. 'Senator in bid for re-election' is a classic headline structure.

The company launched a hostile bid to acquire its smaller competitor.

In the corporate world, 'bidding' is a standard part of procurement. If a city needs a new park, they will 'put it out to bid.' This means they invite various landscaping companies to submit their prices and plans. You will hear project managers and contractors talk about 'preparing a bid' or 'winning the bid.' This is a high-stakes environment where the word 'bid' represents a significant amount of work and potential revenue.

Literature and Film: In period dramas or classic novels, you will hear 'bid' used for greetings or commands. A character might say, 'I bid you welcome to my home,' or 'He did as he was bid.' This gives the dialogue a sense of age and gravity.

'I bid you all a very good night,' the host announced as the party ended.

Finally, in the world of professional sports, 'bidding' occurs during the transfer window or when cities compete to host major events like the World Cup or the Super Bowl. Commentators will discuss a city's 'successful bid' or a player being 'bid for' by a top-tier club. It implies a formal, competitive process of selection and acquisition. Whether you are watching the news, reading a business report, or playing a card game, 'bid' is a word that signals a proposal of value or intent.

Online Marketplaces: On sites like eBay, you 'place a bid.' The system often has 'automatic bidding' where the computer bids on your behalf up to a certain limit.

The athlete's bid for a world record fell just short in the final meters.

They are expected to bid aggressively for the spectrum rights.

The most frequent mistake with 'bid' involves its irregular past tense forms. Because 'bid' can mean several different things, its past tense changes depending on the context. This is a common trap even for native speakers. When 'bid' means to offer money (auction) or to make an attempt, the past tense is usually just 'bid'. For example: 'Yesterday, he bid $100.' Many learners mistakenly say 'bidded,' which is generally considered incorrect in standard English, though it appears occasionally in very specific technical contexts.

Mistake: Over-regularization: Incorrect: 'He bidded on the house last week.' Correct: 'He bid on the house last week.'

The company bid (not bidded) on the contract yesterday.

Another area of confusion is the use of 'bade'. 'Bade' is the past tense of 'bid' when it means to greet or to command. For example: 'He bade me farewell.' Using 'bid' in this context ('He bid me farewell') is increasingly common and acceptable in modern English, but using 'bade' in an auction context ('He bade $100') is definitely wrong. It sounds archaic and misplaced. Learners should stick to 'bid' for money and 'bade' (or 'bid') for greetings.

Preposition Errors: Learners often confuse 'bid for' and 'bid on'. While often interchangeable, 'bid on' is more common for specific items (a house, a painting), while 'bid for' is common for goals or contracts (a bid for power, a bid for the contract).

She bade her guests goodnight before retiring to her room.

Finally, confusion arises between 'bid' and 'offer'. While similar, 'bid' usually implies a competitive environment (like an auction or a tender process), whereas 'offer' is more general. You 'offer' someone a cup of tea, but you 'bid' for a rare book. Using 'bid' in a non-competitive social situation sounds very strange. You wouldn't 'bid' your friend a sandwich; you would 'offer' it.

Contextual Misuse: Incorrect: 'I will bid you a slice of pizza.' Correct: 'I will offer you a slice of pizza.'

The player's bid for the championship was thwarted by an injury.

He did the work at his master's bidding.

The word 'bid' has several synonyms depending on the context in which it is used. In the context of making a financial offer, 'tender' and 'propose' are common alternatives. 'Tender' is specifically used in formal business and government contexts. When a company 'tenders' for a project, it is the same as 'bidding' for it, but the term is more technical and formal. 'Propose' is more general and can be used in many situations where an idea or price is put forward.

Bid vs. Tender: 'Bid' is common in auctions and general business. 'Tender' is the formal term for a written offer to execute work or supply goods at a fixed price.

The government invited firms to tender (or bid) for the railway expansion.

In the context of an 'attempt' or 'effort,' synonyms include 'endeavor,' 'strive,' 'try,' and 'venture.' 'Endeavor' is more formal and implies a serious, sustained effort. 'Strive' suggests a great struggle or vigorous exertion. 'Bid' is often used when the attempt is part of a competition or a public goal. For instance, a 'bid for power' sounds more strategic and political than a 'try for power.'

Bid vs. Offer: An 'offer' is a general expression of willingness to do or give something. A 'bid' is a specific offer of a price in a competitive situation.

The athlete made a final endeavor to cross the finish line first.

When 'bid' is used for greetings, synonyms include 'wish,' 'tell,' or 'command.' 'She wished him goodnight' is the most common modern equivalent of 'She bid him goodnight.' 'Command' is a synonym for the older sense of 'bid,' as in 'He commanded them to stay.' In modern usage, 'bid' in these senses is almost entirely replaced by these more direct verbs except in literature or very formal speeches.

Comparison Table: Auction: Bid vs. Buy. Attempt: Bid vs. Attempt. Greeting: Bid vs. Wish.

The manager will propose a new budget at the meeting.

The city's venture into green energy began with a bid for solar panels.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

Because 'bid' comes from two different words, it has two different past tense traditions. 'Bade' comes from the 'command' root, while 'bid' (as past tense) became standard for the 'offer' root.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bɪd/

US /bɪd/

Single syllable word; no secondary stress.

Rhymes With

did hid kid lid mid rid skid slid

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'bead' (/biːd/). Ensure the 'i' is short.
Adding an extra syllable like 'bid-ded' when it should be 'bid'.
Confusing the past tense 'bade' (/beɪd/ or /bæd/) with 'bid'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to read but can have multiple meanings depending on the context.

Writing 4/5

Difficult due to irregular past tense forms and specific preposition use.

Speaking 3/5

Short and easy to pronounce, but formal uses sound unnatural if misplaced.

Listening 3/5

Clear sound, but must be distinguished from 'did' or 'bead'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

offer price buy try win

Learn Next

tender auction contract proposal negotiate

Advanced

procurement acquisition adieu entreat behest

Grammar to Know

Irregular Past Tense

For auctions: 'I bid $10 yesterday.' For greetings: 'He bade me goodbye.'

Bare Infinitive

After 'bid' meaning command: 'He bid her stay.' (No 'to').

Noun vs. Verb

Verb: 'I will bid.' Noun: 'My bid was high.'

Preposition 'On' vs 'For'

'Bid on an item' vs 'Bid for a contract/goal'.

Passive Voice

'He was bidden to the feast.' (Formal past participle).

Examples by Level

I want to bid on this toy.

Saya ingin menawar mainan ini.

Use 'bid on' for an object.

He will bid five dollars.

Dia akan menawar lima dolar.

Bid + amount.

Do you want to bid?

Apakah Anda ingin menawar?

Intransitive use.

She bid for the book.

Dia menawar buku itu.

Past tense 'bid' is the same as present.

They bid on the car.

Mereka menawar mobil itu.

Subject + bid + on + object.

Don't bid too much.

Jangan menawar terlalu banyak.

Imperative negative.

Who will bid more?

Siapa yang akan menawar lebih banyak?

Question with 'who'.

I bid ten euros.

Saya menawar sepuluh euro.

Direct object (amount).

The city made a bid for the games.

Kota itu mengajukan tawaran untuk pertandingan tersebut.

Noun use: 'make a bid for'.

He bid her goodnight and left.

Dia mengucapkan selamat malam padanya dan pergi.

Formal greeting use.

We are bidding against a big company.

Kami sedang bersaing menawar melawan perusahaan besar.

Present continuous: 'bidding against'.

The highest bid wins the prize.

Tawaran tertinggi memenangkan hadiahnya.

Noun use as subject.

She bid on the antique vase.

Dia menawar vas antik itu.

Past tense 'bid'.

They bid to host the party.

Mereka menawarkan diri untuk menjadi tuan rumah pesta.

Bid + to-infinitive.

I will bid if the price is low.

Saya akan menawar jika harganya rendah.

Conditional sentence.

He bid $50 but lost.

Dia menawar $50 tetapi kalah.

Past tense with amount.

The firm is preparing a bid for the contract.

Perusahaan sedang menyiapkan tawaran untuk kontrak tersebut.

Noun use in business context.

In a bid to save time, we took the highway.

Dalam upaya menghemat waktu, kami mengambil jalan tol.

Phrase: 'In a bid to' (meaning 'in an attempt to').

He bid for the chairmanship but failed.

Dia mencalonkan diri untuk jabatan ketua tetapi gagal.

Verb meaning 'to attempt to achieve'.

The auctioneer asked for an opening bid.

Pelelang meminta tawaran pembukaan.

Compound noun: 'opening bid'.

She bid her friends a fond farewell.

Dia mengucapkan selamat tinggal yang hangat kepada teman-temannya.

Formal greeting with indirect object.

They are bidding up the price of the house.

Mereka menaikkan harga rumah tersebut dengan terus menawar.

Phrasal verb: 'bid up'.

The company won the bid for the new bridge.

Perusahaan memenangkan tender untuk jembatan baru.

Noun use meaning 'tender'.

He was bid to stay by the king.

Dia diperintahkan untuk tinggal oleh raja.

Passive voice (formal/archaic).

The hostile takeover bid was rejected by the board.

Tawaran pengambilalihan paksa ditolak oleh dewan.

Business term: 'hostile takeover bid'.

She bade him enter the room with a nod.

Dia menyuruhnya masuk ke ruangan dengan anggukan.

Past tense 'bade' + object + bare infinitive.

The athlete's bid for a gold medal ended in disappointment.

Upaya atlet untuk mendapatkan medali emas berakhir dengan kekecewaan.

Noun meaning 'attempt'.

Several companies are bidding for the rights to the film.

Beberapa perusahaan sedang menawar hak atas film tersebut.

Present continuous for ongoing competition.

He did the work at his father's bidding.

Dia melakukan pekerjaan itu atas perintah ayahnya.

Idiom: 'at someone's bidding'.

The bidding war drove the price to astronomical levels.

Perang penawaran mendorong harga ke tingkat yang sangat tinggi.

Compound noun: 'bidding war'.

The politician launched a bid for the presidency.

Politisi itu meluncurkan upaya untuk kursi kepresidenan.

Collocation: 'launch a bid'.

They bid farewell to their old life and moved abroad.

Mereka mengucapkan selamat tinggal pada kehidupan lama mereka dan pindah ke luar negeri.

Metaphorical use of 'bid farewell'.

The central bank's bid to curb inflation proved successful.

Upaya bank sentral untuk menahan inflasi terbukti berhasil.

Abstract noun use in economics.

He was bidden to the wedding by the bride herself.

Dia diundang ke pernikahan oleh pengantin wanita itu sendiri.

Past participle 'bidden' (formal/archaic).

The project bids fair to be the most expensive in history.

Proyek ini tampaknya akan menjadi yang termahal dalam sejarah.

Idiom: 'bid fair to' (seems likely to).

They are locked in a fierce bidding battle for the tech startup.

Mereka terjebak dalam pertempuran penawaran yang sengit untuk startup teknologi tersebut.

Collocation: 'bidding battle'.

The diplomat bid his counterparts adieu after the summit.

Diplomat itu mengucapkan selamat tinggal kepada rekan-rekannya setelah KTT.

Formal use of 'adieu' with 'bid'.

The company's bid for dominance in the market was aggressive.

Upaya perusahaan untuk mendominasi pasar sangat agresif.

Noun phrase: 'bid for dominance'.

She bid the servants carry the luggage to the carriage.

Dia memerintahkan para pelayan untuk membawa barang bawaan ke kereta.

Bare infinitive after 'bid' (archaic style).

The bid-ask spread on the stock was unusually wide.

Selisih harga beli dan harga jual pada saham tersebut sangat lebar.

Technical financial term.

The protagonist's bid for redemption forms the crux of the novel.

Upaya protagonis untuk penebusan dosa membentuk inti dari novel tersebut.

Literary use of 'bid' for abstract goals.

He bade his soul be still in the face of the impending storm.

Dia memerintahkan jiwanya untuk diam menghadapi badai yang akan datang.

Highly poetic/archaic use of 'bade'.

The city's bid to host the expo was a masterclass in diplomacy.

Upaya kota itu untuk menjadi tuan rumah expo adalah contoh luar biasa dalam diplomasi.

Complex noun phrase.

The takeover bid was a calculated gamble by the hedge fund.

Tawaran pengambilalihan itu adalah spekulasi yang diperhitungkan oleh dana lindung nilai.

Business jargon.

She had bidden him farewell, never expecting to see him again.

Dia telah mengucapkan selamat tinggal padanya, tidak pernah berharap untuk melihatnya lagi.

Past perfect with 'bidden'.

The landscape bids fair to become a major tourist attraction.

Lanskap ini tampaknya akan menjadi daya tarik wisata utama.

Idiomatic use of 'bids fair to'.

The bidding process was marred by allegations of corruption.

Proses penawaran itu dinodai oleh tuduhan korupsi.

Passive voice with 'marred'.

He was at the beck and call of his master, doing whatever he was bid.

Dia selalu siap melayani tuannya, melakukan apa pun yang diperintahkan.

Idiom: 'beck and call' + 'as one is bid'.

Common Collocations

winning bid

takeover bid

bid for power

bid farewell

opening bid

bid on a house

successful bid

bid against

highest bid

bid to win

Common Phrases

in a bid to

— In an attempt to achieve something. It is very common in news reporting.

They closed the road in a bid to reduce traffic.

bid someone welcome

— To formally greet someone and make them feel invited. It is a very polite expression.

The host bid us welcome at the door.

put out to bid

— To invite companies to offer prices for a project. This is a standard business process.

The government put the road project out to bid.

bid goodnight

— To say goodnight to someone in a formal or polite way. It sounds more elegant than 'say goodnight'.

She bid her children goodnight before they went to sleep.

bid for a contract

— To offer a price to do a specific job for a company or government. It is a competitive process.

Our firm will bid for the IT contract next month.

place a bid

— To officially make an offer for something, usually in an auction or online. It is a formal action.

I placed a bid on the vintage camera.

sealed bid

— A bid that is kept secret until all offers are opened at once. This ensures fairness in competition.

The property was sold by sealed bid.

bid adieu

— A very formal way to say goodbye. 'Adieu' is French for 'to God'.

He bid adieu to his colleagues as he retired.

bid higher

— To offer more money than the previous offer. This happens in auctions.

If you want the painting, you must bid higher.

lowest bid

— The smallest amount of money offered. In construction, the lowest bid often wins.

The council usually accepts the lowest bid for repairs.

Often Confused With

bid vs bide

Often confused in the phrase 'bide one's time' (wait) vs 'bid one's time' (incorrect but common).

bid vs offer

'Offer' is general; 'bid' is competitive and specific to price or attempts.

bid vs forbid

'Forbid' means to prohibit, while 'bid' can mean to command. They are opposites in some contexts.

Idioms & Expressions

"at someone's bidding"

— Doing something because someone else told you to do it. It implies a lack of choice.

The soldiers moved at the king's bidding.

formal

"bid fair to"

— To seem likely to happen or to be successful. It is a slightly old-fashioned idiom.

The weather bids fair to be sunny tomorrow.

literary

"bidding war"

— A situation where many people or companies compete to buy the same thing, driving the price up.

A bidding war broke out over the rare comic book.

neutral

"do as you are bid"

— An instruction to follow orders without questioning them. It is often said to children.

Just sit down and do as you are bid.

informal/parental

"bid defiance to"

— To openly resist or challenge someone or something. It is a strong, dramatic phrase.

The small nation bid defiance to the invading army.

literary

"last-ditch bid"

— A final, desperate attempt to achieve something before it is too late.

They made a last-ditch bid to save the company.

neutral

"bid for fame"

— An attempt to become famous or well-known. It often implies a specific action taken for this goal.

The young singer's bid for fame started on a reality show.

neutral

"bid someone's time"

— Wait for a good opportunity (Note: often confused with 'bide one's time').

He is bidding his time until the market improves.

neutral

"opening bid"

— The first offer made in a negotiation or auction. It sets the starting point.

His opening bid was surprisingly low.

neutral

"bid against oneself"

— To raise your own offer even though no one else has made a higher one. It is a mistake in negotiation.

Don't bid against yourself by offering more before they respond.

neutral

Easily Confused

bid vs bead

Similar sound.

'Bead' is a small round object; 'bid' is an offer. The vowel sound is different (long 'e' vs short 'i').

She put a bead on the string. He made a bid on the car.

bid vs bad

Similar spelling to 'bade'.

'Bad' is an adjective; 'bade' is the past tense of bid (greeting). They sound different.

The food was bad. He bade her farewell.

bid vs bed

Similar sound.

'Bed' is for sleeping; 'bid' is for offering. The vowel sound is different.

I went to bed. I made a bid.

bid vs bind

Similar starting letters.

'Bind' means to tie together; 'bid' means to offer.

Bind the books together. Bid for the prize.

bid vs bidder

Related noun.

'Bidder' is the person who bids; 'bid' is the action or the offer itself.

The highest bidder won the bid.

Sentence Patterns

I bid [amount].

I bid five dollars.

He bid on the [object].

He bid on the car.

In a bid to [verb]...

In a bid to win, he ran faster.

Bid for the [contract/goal].

They bid for the contract.

Bid someone [greeting].

She bid him goodnight.

Bid someone [verb]...

He bid them remain silent.

Bids fair to [verb]...

It bids fair to be a success.

At the [person]'s bidding...

At the king's bidding, they left.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in business, news, and auctions. Rare in casual daily conversation except for online shopping.

Common Mistakes

I bidded $50. → I bid $50.
The past tense of 'bid' in an auction context is 'bid', not 'bidded'.
He bade $100 for the chair. → He bid $100 for the chair.
'Bade' is only for greetings or commands, not for money.
I will bid you a sandwich. → I will offer you a sandwich.
'Bid' is for competitive offers or formal greetings, not for casual sharing.
She bid him to goodbye. → She bid him goodbye.
When bidding a greeting, you don't need the word 'to'.
He is bidding his time. → He is biding his time.
'Bide' means to wait; 'bid' means to offer. They are different words.

Tips

Past Tense Mastery

Remember: Bid (present) -> Bid (past for money) -> Bade (past for greetings). This is the most common point of confusion.

Business Context

In business, use 'bid' when talking about competing for a project. It sounds more professional than 'try to get the job'.

Headline Power

If you are writing a title or headline, 'bid' is a great short word to replace 'attempt' or 'effort'.

Formal Farewells

Use 'bid farewell' in a speech or a formal email to sound more sophisticated and respectful.

Negotiation Tip

In a negotiation, your 'bid' is your starting point. Don't make your highest bid first!

Auction Sounds

In an auction, listen for the word 'bid' followed by a number. That is the current price you have to beat.

Related Words

Learn 'outbid' (to bid more than someone else) and 'underbid' (to bid less than the value or less than others).

Likelihood

Use 'bids fair to' when you want to say something looks like it will be successful in a literary way.

Avoid 'Bidded'

Even if it sounds right, 'bidded' is almost always wrong. Stick to 'bid' for the past tense.

Game Strategy

In Bridge, your bid tells your partner what cards you have. It's a secret language!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

B-I-D: Buy It Dearly. When you bid at an auction, you are trying to buy something, and if you bid too much, you pay dearly for it.

Visual Association

Imagine a person at an auction holding up a paddle with the word 'BID' written on it in big, bold letters. They are shouting a price to win a treasure.

Word Web

Auction Offer Attempt Contract Greeting Command Price Competition

Challenge

Try to use 'bid' in three different ways today: once for an offer, once for an attempt, and once for a formal greeting.

Word Origin

The word 'bid' comes from two distinct Old English verbs that merged over time. One was 'biddan' (to ask, pray, or entreat) and the other was 'beodan' (to offer, announce, or command). This dual origin explains why the word has such diverse meanings today, ranging from a humble request to a forceful command or a financial offer.

Original meaning: To ask, pray, or offer.

Germanic

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but 'bidding' can imply a high-pressure or high-stakes situation.

In the US and UK, 'bidding' on a house is a very stressful and common life event. It often involves 'blind bidding' where you don't know what others are offering.

The 'bidding' scene in the movie 'North by Northwest'. The phrase 'I bid you adieu' in many classic films. The concept of 'bidding' in the card game Bridge.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Auctions

place a bid
highest bidder
opening bid
going once, going twice...

Business Contracts

submit a bid
bid for a project
competitive bidding
tender a bid

Politics

bid for re-election
leadership bid
bid for power
failed bid

Sports

bid for the title
Olympic bid
bid for a player
championship bid

Formal Greetings

bid farewell
bid goodnight
bid welcome
bid adieu

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever placed a bid on something on eBay?"

"What is the most you would ever bid for a piece of art?"

"Do you think cities should bid to host the Olympics?"

"How do you usually bid farewell to your friends after a party?"

"Have you ever been involved in a bidding war for a house?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time you made a bid for something you really wanted, whether it was an object or a goal.

If you were to bid for any job in the world, which one would it be and why?

Write about a formal event where you had to bid someone a difficult farewell.

Discuss the pros and cons of the bidding process for government contracts.

Imagine you are at an auction for a mysterious box. What would you bid and what do you hope is inside?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In standard English, 'bidded' is generally considered incorrect. The past tense of 'bid' (for auctions) is 'bid'. For example, 'I bid $10 yesterday.' However, in some very specific technical fields, you might see it, but it's best to avoid it.

Use 'bade' as the past tense of 'bid' only when you mean to greet someone or command them. For example, 'He bade them welcome.' In modern English, even in these cases, 'bid' is often used instead.

It means 'in an attempt to'. It is a very common phrase in news headlines. For example, 'The government lowered taxes in a bid to help the economy' means they did it to try and help.

Yes, 'bid' is both a verb and a noun. As a noun, it refers to the offer itself. 'My bid was the highest.' or 'He made a bid for the presidency.'

A bidding war is when two or more people keep offering higher and higher prices for the same thing because they both want it very much. This usually happens with houses or rare collectibles.

In games like Bridge, you 'bid' to say how many points or tricks you think you can win. It is a way of communicating with your partner about the cards you have.

Usually, you 'bid on' an object (like a car or a painting) and 'bid for' a contract, a goal, or a position (like a bid for power or a bid for the job).

It depends on the meaning. Bidding at an auction is neutral. Bidding someone farewell is very formal. Making a 'bid for power' is common in news and politics.

It means doing something because he told you to. It's a formal way of saying 'because of his command'. For example, 'The servants cleaned the room at his bidding.'

The opening bid is the very first price offered at an auction. It is usually the lowest price the seller is willing to accept to start the competition.