What does rebuy mean?
Rebuy means to make a purchase again, usually after something has been sold, returned, or otherwise disposed of, although it can also mean buying an additional quantity. The word is especially common in retail, finance, investment, and consumer contexts: shareholders may rebuy stock, a dealership may rebuy a vehicle, and a customer may rebuy a product in a different size or colour. Its prefix re- makes clear that this is not simply a first purchase. Although the phrase “buy again” is more conversational, rebuy is concise and often carries a more commercial or transactional tone. The word can also be used as a rare noun for a second purchase or a transaction in which something is bought again.
To buy something again, especially after selling, returning, or otherwise disposing of it; also, to purchase an additional quantity.
"The manufacturer agreed to rebuy the returned components from its supplier."
Common in commercial, financial, and retail contexts; it may be written as one word rather than “buy again.”
A second or additional purchase, or a transaction in which something is bought again.
"The share price rose after the announcement of a large rebuy."
The noun is less common than the verb and is especially used in financial and commercial contexts.
The plural is used for separate purchase transactions or instances of buying again.
"The company authorised several rebuys of its own shares."
Rebuy turned an ordinary purchase into a fresh transaction: the prefix re- means that the buying starts over.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of rebuy
Rebuy was formed in English by combining the prefix re-, meaning “again,” with the verb buy. Buy comes from Old English bycgan, meaning “to acquire” or “provide for payment,” and is related to cognates in other Germanic languages, including Dutch koop and German kaufen. The prefixed form rebuy developed as a transparent verb for a repeated or additional purchase.
Related word forms
How rebuy is actually used
Rebuy is common in business, finance, retail, and consumer contexts. It is usually written as one word and is more formal than the simpler phrase “buy again.”
Easily confused with rebuy
Rebuy means to purchase something again, whereas repay means to return money that is owed.
Rebuy describes making a new purchase, while refund refers to returning payment for a purchase that is being cancelled.