How do you pronounce auction?

The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɔkʃən/.

auction

/ˈɔkʃən/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.27 in modern English

Syllables: auc-tion
IPA: /ˈɔkʃən/

Scrabble Score

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Syllables

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Meaning

noun

A public event where goods or property are sold to the highest bidder.

noun

The first stage of a deal, in which players bid to determine the final contract.

verb

To sell at an auction.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"Auctions come in a wide variety. In a “Dutch auction”, often used to sell flowers and fruit, prices start high and gradually drop until a bidder is willing to pay up. A “Japanese auction” is a bit like poker: bids rise with each round and anyone who wants to win must bid every time. Vendors using auctions rid themselves of the headache of choosing prices and instead just pick the rules bidders must follow."

Etymology

From Latin auctiō (“an increase, auction”), from augere (“to increase”).

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: *h₂ewg-, auctiō

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈɔkʃən/
British English: /ˈɔːkʃən/

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

auctions (plural) auctions (present, singular) auctioning (participle, present) auctioned (participle, past) auctioned (past)

Derived Forms

auctionable auctioneer auctioneeress auctioner auctiongoer auctionlike cyberauction midauction nonauction postauction preauction reauction

Phrases

auction block auction bridge auction call auction-goer auction house auction pitch auction theory candle auction

Frequently Paired Words

augment bid bidder

Synonyms

roup sale auction sale vendue auction bridge auction off auctioneer

Rhymes With

concoction decoction