bidder
gb/bˈɪdɚ/ us/bˈɪdɚ/
B1
English
~ 5400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
person offering money at an auction
A person who says how much money they will pay to buy something in an auction.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is the highest bidder
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse “bidder” with “buyer.” A bidder is someone who is offering prices and may or may not win the item, while a buyer is someone who actually buys it. Some also mispronounce it as “bitter”; note the clear /d/ sound in the middle of “bidder.”
Synonyms
buyer (Means someone who purchases something; unlike “bidder,” it does not emphasize the act of competing by offering prices at an auction.)
|
participant (General term for someone taking part; here it can mean someone taking part in the bidding, but it does not specifically focus on offering prices.)
Antonyms
seller (A seller offers something for sale, while a bidder is trying to buy it by offering a price.)
|
spectator (A spectator only watches an auction and does not take part by making bids.)
Collocations
highest bidder
|other bidders
|rival bidders
|successful bidder
|potential bidder
|online bidders
Themes
business
|daily life
|shopping
|finance
Examples
- The painting was finally sold to the highest bidder.
- Several bidders raised their paddles as the price climbed.
- Online bidders competed with people in the room for the rare comic book.
- The auctioneer waited for any new bidders before closing the sale.
- Only registered bidders were allowed to take part in the charity auction.
Learner examples
- There were many bidders at the car auction.
- She was the highest bidder and won the watch.
- The auctioneer asked if there were any new bidders.
- Three bidders wanted the house very much.
- Only two bidders were left at the end.
Noun
B2
entity
2
company/person competing for a contract
A person or company that offers a price or plan to try to get a contract, project, or business deal.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is a bidder for [a contract/project/company]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this sense only applies to auctions. In business and news, a “bidder” often means a company trying to win a contract, project, or takeover, even when there is no public auction room.
Synonyms
contender (Stresses being in a competition; does not specifically refer to offering a price or proposal, as “bidder” does.)
|
tenderer (More technical and used mainly in public procurement, meaning someone who submits a formal tender; similar role but more formal than “bidder.”)
Antonyms
supplier (In many tender processes, a bidder hopes to become a supplier; before winning, they are a bidder, after winning, they are the supplier.)
|
nonparticipant (A nonparticipant is not taking part in the bidding process, while a bidder is actively competing.)
Collocations
potential bidder
|rival bidders
|qualified bidders
|winning bidder
|unsuccessful bidder
|foreign bidders
Themes
business
|economy
|work
Examples
- Several international bidders have expressed interest in the airport project.
- The government will choose the lowest responsible bidder for the contract.
- The company is one of three bidders for the new rail line.
- Two leading bidders are competing to acquire the technology firm.
- Unsuccessful bidders will be notified by email next week.
Learner examples
- Five bidders want the road-building contract.
- The city will pick the winning bidder in June.
- Many bidders sent in their prices for the work.
- A foreign bidder is trying to buy the company.
- Only serious bidders can join the process.
Noun
C1
entity
3
person competing for support or favor
A person who is trying hard to get support, power, or another important thing while other people are also trying to get it.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a bidder for [support/power/attention]
Common mistake:
Learners may think “bidder” can only be used with money. In news and formal writing it can also describe people competing for support, power, or attention, even when no money is offered.
Synonyms
aspirant (More formal; stresses desire and ambition for a position or honor, while “bidder” implies more active competition.)
|
seeker (Emphasizes looking for or wanting something; does not always imply direct competition as strongly as “bidder.”)
Antonyms
disinterested party (A disinterested party is not trying to gain anything, while a bidder is actively trying to get something.)
|
opponent (In some contexts, an opponent resists or blocks a goal that a bidder is trying to achieve.)
Collocations
bidder for power
|bidder for influence
|bidder for the nomination
|bidder for her attention
|leading bidder
|serious bidder
Themes
politics
|relationships
|society
Examples
- He is a serious bidder for the party leadership.
- Several bidders for her attention crowded around after the show.
- The country has become a major bidder for influence in the region.
- There are many bidders for the president’s support on this issue.
- Analysts say she is the strongest bidder for the nomination.
Learner examples
- He is a main bidder for political power.
- Many bidders for the job want the boss’s support.
- She is a strong bidder for the role of leader.
- There are several bidders for his time and help.
- The group is a new bidder for influence in the city.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bidder
IPA
GB/bˈɪdɚ/
US/bˈɪdɚ/
Syllables & stress
bid - der (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (bid)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: bidder
- Plural: bidders
Word family
Forms
bidders
noun
Core family
bid
verb B1
Related words
bidding
noun
Advanced or less common
outbid
verb
Expressions
go to the highest bidder
1/ɡˈoʊ tə ðə hˈaɪɪst bˈɪdɚ/
fixed phrase
be sold to whoever pays most
To be sold or given to the person who offers the most money.
Examples
- The painting will go to the highest bidder at tomorrow’s auction.
- In some cities, public land was allowed to go to the highest bidder.
the highest bidder
1/ðə hˈaɪɪst bˈɪdɚ/
fixed phrase
person offering the most money
The person or company that offers the most money for something in an auction or similar sale.
Examples
- The land will be sold to the highest bidder.
- At the charity event, dinner with the singer went to the highest bidder.