Langimage
English

auctioning

|auc-tion-ing|

B2

🇺🇸

/ˈɔkʃən/

🇬🇧

/ˈɔːkʃən/

(auction)

public sale

Base FormPlural3rd Person Sing.PastPast ParticiplePresent ParticipleVerbAdjective
auctionauctionsauctionsauctionedauctionedauctioningauctioningauctioned
Etymology
Etymology Information

'auction' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'auctio', where 'augere' meant 'to increase'.

Historical Evolution

'auction' changed from Latin 'auctio' into Old French/Anglo-Norman forms (such as 'auctioun') and then into Middle English 'auction', eventually becoming the modern English word 'auction'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it was related to the idea of 'increase' (from Latin 'augere'), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a public sale where items are sold to the highest bidder'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a public sale in which goods or property are sold to the highest bidder.

The painting was sold at auction for a record price.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Verb 1

to sell or offer for sale at an auction; to dispose of by auction.

They decided to auction the antique furniture next week.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Verb 2

present participle form of 'auction'.

Auctioning rare books drew collectors from all over the country.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/11/17 17:34