Gain Definition
gān
gained, gaining, gains
verb
gained, gaining, gains
To get by labor; earn.
To gain a livelihood.
Webster's New World
To come into possession or use of; acquire.
Gained a small fortune in real estate; gained vital information about the enemy's plans.
American Heritage
To make progress; improve or advance, as in health, business, etc.
Webster's New World
To cut out a gain in.
American Heritage
To get by effort or merit, as in competition; win.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
noun
gains
Something gained or acquired.
Territorial gains.
American Heritage
Progress; advancement.
The country made economic gains under the new government.
American Heritage
The act of getting something; acquisition; accumulation.
Webster's New World
An increase; addition.
Webster's New World
An increase in signal strength when transmitted from one point to another: often expressed in decibels.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
idiom
gain ground
- To progress, advance, or increase:
Stock prices gained ground yesterday.
American Heritage
gain time
- To run too fast. Used of a timepiece.
- To delay or prolong something until a desired event occurs.
American Heritage
gain on
- to draw nearer to (an opponent in a race, etc.)
- to make more progress than (a competitor)
Webster's New World
gain over
- to win over to one's side
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Gain
- gain ground
- gain time
- gain on
- gain over
Origin of Gain
-
From Middle English gayne booty (from Old French gaigne, gain gain) (from gaaignier to gain) (of Germanic origin weiə- in Indo-European roots) Middle English gein advantage (from Old Norse gegn ready,) (and from Old French gain gain)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Origin unknown
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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