Exchange

Definition

Exchange is a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to the act of giving or receiving one thing in return for another. As a verb, it means to give or receive something in return for something else, or to replace one thing with another.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/
• Respelling: eks-CHAYNJ

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/
• Respelling: eks-CHAYNJ

Etymology

The word "exchange" originates from the Latin "excambium," meaning "a swapping or exchange," via Old French "eschange" and Middle English "exchaunge." It initially referred to the trading or swapping of goods or services and evolved to include various forms of reciprocal giving and receiving.

Derivatives

• Exchanger (noun)
• Exchanged (adjective)
• Exchangeable (adjective)
• Exchangeability (noun)
• Counter-exchange (noun)

Synonyms

• Swap
• Trade
• Barter

Antonyms

• Keep
• Retain
• Hold

Usage

The term "exchange" is commonly used in commerce and social interactions to describe transactions where items or services are reciprocally given, as in "They arranged an exchange of gifts." It can also refer to trading goods, financial transactions, or replacing one thing with another, as in "Currency exchange rates fluctuate daily."

Related Terms

• Transaction: An act of buying, selling, or transferring something.
• Trade: The action of buying, selling, or exchanging goods and services.
• Swap: To exchange one thing for another in an informal setting.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• The act of giving or receiving one thing in return for another: Describes the process of reciprocal giving, such as trading items, services, or ideas.
  • Example: "The exchange of ideas enhanced the discussion."
• A financial market for buying and selling assets: Refers to organized venues for trading securities, commodities, or currencies.
  • Example: "The New York Stock Exchange is a major financial market."

Verb

• To give or receive something in return for something else: Refers to the action of reciprocating items, services, or information.
  • Example: "They exchanged contact information."
• To replace one thing with another: Used to describe substituting or swapping something for another item.
  • Example: "She exchanged the shirt for a larger size."