auction
word
/ˈɑkʃən/
AWK-shuhn
/ˈɔːkʃən/
AWK-shuhn
Definition
An auction is a public sale where things are sold to the person who offers the highest price. It can happen in person or online.
Usage & Nuances
Common verbs are 'hold an auction', 'bid at an auction', and 'win an auction'. 'Auction' is usually a noun, but as a verb it means to sell something this way: 'They auctioned the car.' Do not confuse it with 'bid', which is the offer you make.
Spanish: subastaPortuguese (BR): leilãoPortuguese (PT): leilãoChinese (Simplified): 拍卖Chinese (Traditional): 拍賣Hindi: नीलामीArabic: مزادBengali: নীতিমালা - নিলামRussian: аукционJapanese: オークションVietnamese: đấu giáKorean: 경매Turkish: açık artırmaUrdu: نیلامیIndonesian: lelang
Example Sentences
They went to an auction to buy old furniture.
basic
The auction got exciting when two people started competing for the same watch.
natural
The painting sold for $500 at the auction.
basic
She won the auction with the highest bid.
basic
I got this jacket at an online auction for almost nothing.
natural
They're auctioning off a signed guitar for charity tonight.
natural