–verb (used with object)

1.	to acquire the possession of, or the right to, by paying or promising to pay an equivalent, esp. in money; purchase.

2.	to acquire by exchange or concession: to buy favor with flattery.

3.	to hire or obtain the services of: The Yankees bought a new center fielder.

4.	to bribe: Most public officials cannot be bought.

5.	to be the monetary or purchasing equivalent of: Ten dollars buys less than it used to.

6.	Chiefly Theology. to redeem; ransom.

7.	Cards. to draw or be dealt (a card): He bought an ace.

8.	Informal. a. to accept or believe: I don't buy that explanation. b. to be deceived by: He bought the whole story.

–verb (used without object)

9.	to be or become a purchaser.

–noun

10.	an act or instance of buying.

11.	something bought or to be bought; purchase: That coat was a sensible buy.

12.	a bargain: The couch was a real buy.

—Verb phrases

13.	buy down, to lower or reduce (the mortgage interest rate) by means of a buy-down.

14.	buy in, a. to buy a supply of; accumulate a stock of. b. to buy back one's own possession at an auction. c. to undertake a buy-in. Also, buy into.

15.	buy into, to purchase a share, interest, or membership in: They tried to buy into the club but were not accepted.

16.	buy off, to get rid of (a claim, opposition, etc.) by payment; purchase the noninterference of; bribe: The corrupt official bought off those who might expose him.

17.	buy out, to secure all of (an owner or partner's 6 ) shar 3e8 e or interest in an enterprise: She bought out an established pharmacist and is doing very well.

18.	buy up, to buy as much as one can of something or as much as is offered for sale: He bought up the last of the strawberries at the fruit market.

—Idiom

19.	buy it, Slang. to get killed: He bought it at Dunkirk.

–adverb

1.	at the present time or moment: You are now using a dictionary.

2.	without further delay; immediately; at once: Either do it now or not at all.

3.	at this time or juncture in some period under consideration or in some course of proceedings described: The case was now ready for the jury.

4.	at the time or moment immediately past: I saw him just now on the street.

5.	in these present times; nowadays: Now you rarely see horse-drawn carriages.

6.	under the present or existing circumstances; as matters stand: I see now what you meant.

7.	(used to introduce a statement or question): Now, you don't really mean that.

8.	(used to strengthen a command, entreaty, or the like): Now stop that!

–conjunction

9.	inasmuch as; since: Now you're here, why not stay for dinner?

–noun

10.	the present time or moment: Up to now no one has volunteered.

–adjective

11.	up-to-the-minute; encompassing the latest ideas, fads, or fashions: the now look; the now generation.

—Idioms

12.	now and again, occasionally. Also, now and then.

13.	now that, inasmuch as; since: Now that she is rich and famous, she is constantly being besieged by appeals for aid.