bid

To offer an amount of money to buy something, or offer to do work for a particular price.

• He bid twenty dollars.
• We bid for the contract last month.
• How much will you bid on that painting?

How to use it: bid an amount for something (She bid fifty pounds for the chair.); bid for/on something (Three companies bid for the building contract.)

Similar words: offer, tender

Common phrases: bid for something, bid on something, bid an amount

To try to get something or achieve a goal, often in competition with others.

• She is bidding for the top job.
• The city bid to host the games.
• Several rivals are bidding for leadership of the party.

How to use it: bid for something (The team is bidding for its first championship.); bid to do something (The city bid to host the international festival.)

Similar words: compete, contend

Common phrases: bid for power, bid for victory, bid to host

To say a greeting or wish to someone, especially when saying goodbye.

• I bid you goodnight.
• The host bade us welcome.
• She bid farewell to her family before leaving.

How to use it: bid someone something (They bade their guests farewell.); bid something to someone (She bid farewell to her old friends.)

Similar words: wish

Common phrases: bid someone farewell, bid someone welcome, bid someone goodnight

To tell someone to do something, with the expectation that they will obey.

• She bade him sit.
• The captain bid us wait outside.
• They did as their master had bidden them.

How to use it: bid someone do something (The queen bade the guard open the door.)

Similar words: command, order

Common phrases: bid someone enter, bid someone leave

To ask someone to come to a place or event.

• They bade us come inside.
• She was bidden to the royal wedding.
• The host bid his guests welcome.

How to use it: bid someone to something (All the villagers were bidden to the feast.)

Similar words: invite, summon

Common phrases: bid someone come, bid someone welcome

To choose a particular route as your regular work assignment.

• He bid the airport route.
• She bid that run because it finishes early.
• Which route will you bid next month?

Common phrases: bid a route, bid a run

An offer of a price to buy something, or of a price for doing a job.

• His bid was too low.
• Three firms submitted bids for the work.
• Will you accept my bid of two thousand dollars?

How to use it: a bid for something (The company submitted a bid for the building contract.); a bid of an amount (Her bid of five hundred pounds was accepted.)

Similar words: offer, tender

Common phrases: make a bid, winning bid, bid for something, accept a bid

An effort to achieve something you want.

• Their bid for freedom failed.
• She made a final bid to save the shop.
• He launched another presidential bid last year.

How to use it: a bid to do something (She trained harder in a bid to win the race.); a bid for something (His bid for the presidency failed.)

Similar words: attempt, effort

Common phrases: bid for power, bid to win, failed bid, presidential bid