gain

1
[ geyn ]
/ geɪn /

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

Idioms for gain

    gain ground, to progress or advance, as in value, strength, or achievement: The company's new products are gaining ground in suburban areas.
    gain time, to arrange a postponement or delay for a particular purpose, especially by roundabout means.

Origin of gain

1
1425–75; late Middle English (noun) < Middle French, contraction of Old French gaaing, noun derivative of gaaignier to till, earn, win < Germanic; compare Old High German weidanōn to hunt, forage for food

SYNONYMS FOR gain

1 procure. Gain, attain, earn, win imply obtaining a reward or something advantageous. Gain carries the least suggestion of method or of effort expended. Attain emphasizes the reaching of a goal. Earn emphasizes the exertions and labor expended that deserve reward. Win emphasizes attainment in spite of competition or opposition.
7 attain.
13 addition, increment, acquisition.

OTHER WORDS FROM gain

gain·a·ble, adjective un·gain·a·ble, adjective

Definition for gain (2 of 2)

gain 2
[ geyn ]
/ geɪn /
Carpentry.

noun

a notch, dado, or mortise cut into a piece of wood, as to receive another piece or to house a flap of a hinge.
a short rabbet, for receiving a flap of a butt hinge.

verb (used with object)

to make a gain or gains in.
to fasten or support by means of a gain.

Origin of gain

2
1670–80; perhaps akin to obsolete gane, Old English (north) ganian to yawn, open

Example sentences from the Web for gain

British Dictionary definitions for gain (1 of 3)

gain 1
/ (ɡeɪn) /

verb

noun

See also gains

Derived forms of gain

gainable, adjective

Word Origin for gain

C15: from Old French gaaignier, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German weidenen to forage, hunt

British Dictionary definitions for gain (2 of 3)

gain 2
/ (ɡeɪn) /

noun

a notch, mortise, or groove, esp one cut to take the flap of a butt hinge

verb

(tr) to cut a gain or gains in

Word Origin for gain

C17: of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for gain (3 of 3)

GAIN
/ (ɡeɪn) /

n acronym for (in Canada)

Guaranteed Annual Income

Medical definitions for gain

gain
[ gān ]

n.

An increase in amount or degree.
Progress; advancement.

Idioms and Phrases with gain

gain