Key Difference: We often use the terms buy and sell. The term Buy is used to represent the right to get something in exchange for cash. Whereas, Sell refers to handing over something in exchange for money. In this useful post, we will share with you the difference between the words “buy” and “sell” with the proper explanations and examples.
Buy: Let me buy you some chocolate.
Sell: She tries to sell the doll.
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Buy:
Get something in exchange for money.
The term Buy is used to get or obtain something in exchange for money. In other words, when we have the right to get something with money, then we can use this word. Let’s see an example to make it clear for you. She went to the market to buy fish. From this statement, we might understand that someone went to the market to get some fish to cook. Here we come up with another example sentence for your reference. I always buy fresh fruits to eat in the morning. This statement represents that someone can buy fresh fruits always.
How Do We Spell the Word Buy?
The phonetics pronunciation of the word Buy is baɪ. And this word sounds like the following audio.
Enunciation:
Syllabification refers to the process of division of words into smaller parts. It is commonly known as syllables. With its help, you can easily read and spell the word accurately. Here, you will see how to split the word “Buy” by syllables.
- The word “Buy” has only one syllable.
- It cannot be divided.
Using “Buy” in sentences:
- He can’t buy a helicopter.
- I will buy you a dress.
- She wants to buy new shoes.
- I am going to buy a new chair.
- Did you buy the movie tickets?
Sell:
Give Something in exchange for money.
The word “Sell” is a verb. It refers to the transaction of a thing in exchange for money. In other words, when we offer something in exchange for money, we can surely use the word Sell. Here, we come up with an example sentence to make it clear for you. Lilly shouted, at what price did you sell my horse? From this example, we might understand that someone sold a horse of Lilly, and she shouted at them in anger. Let’s see one more example. She likes to sell toys for children. From this statement, we might understand that someone loves to sell toys to kids.
How Do We Spell the Word Sell?
The phonetics pronunciation of the word Sell is sɛl. And this word sounds like the following audio.
Enunciation:
Syllabification refers to the process of division of words into smaller parts. It is commonly known as syllables. With its help, you can easily read and spell the word accurately. Here, you will see how to split the word “Sell” by syllables.
- The word “Sell” has only one syllable.
- It cannot be divided.
Using “Sell” in sentences:
- They sell cupcakes on this street.
- We sell various sizes of toys in our shop.
- How many books did you sell today?
- I don’t want to sell my car.
- Please sell this house as soon as possible.
Compare: Buy and Sell
This table will show you the contradiction between the words Buy and Sell.
| Buy | Sell | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Get something in exchange for money. | Give Something in exchange for money. |
| Synonym | Obtain, get, pick up, snap up, take, come by. | Get rid of, vend, exchange |
| Antonym | Sell | Buy |
| Etymology | Old English bycgan, of Germanic origin. | Old English sellan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse selja ‘give up, sell’. Early use included the sense ‘give, hand (something) over voluntarily in response to a request’. |
| Examples | Sheela is eager to buy a pet animal. What did she buy in this shop? I can’t afford to buy expensive things. She advised her brother not to buy cheap things. He is going to buy a new scooter. | This shop sells a good amount of chocolates for a dollar. Do you want to sell this bike? She wants to sell her old guitar. They sell various kinds of biscuits here. We can really sell our old house. |
Resources and References:
Resources: Cambridge Dictionary (Buy, Sell), Merriam-Webster (Buy, Sell), Collins Dictionary (Buy, Sell), Dictionary.com (Buy, Sell)
Reference: Dictionary.Cambridge.org[1], Merriam-Webster.com[2], CollinsDictionary.com[3], Dictionary.com[4].