gain

[ geyn ]

/ geɪn /

verb (used with object)

to get (something desired), especially as a result of one's efforts: to gain possession of an object; to gain permission to enter a country.

to acquire as an increase or addition: to gain weight; to gain speed.

to obtain as a profit: He gained ten dollars by this deal.

to win; get in competition: to gain the prize.

to win (someone) to one's own side or point of view; persuade (sometimes followed by over): to gain supporters.

(of a watch or clock) to run fast by (a specified amount): My watch gains six minutes a day.

to reach, especially by effort; get to; arrive at: to gain one's destination.

verb (used without object)

to improve; make progress; advance: to gain in health after an illness.

to get nearer, as in pursuit (usually followed by on or upon): Our horse was gaining on the favorite at the far turn.

to draw away from or farther ahead of the other contestants in a race, one's pursuers, etc. (usually followed by on or upon).

(of a watch or clock) to run fast.

noun

profit or advantage.

an increase or advance.

gains, profits or winnings.

the act of gaining; acquisition.

Electronics.

a measure of the increase in signal amplitude produced by an amplifier, expressed as the ratio of output to input.
the effectiveness of a directional antenna as compared with a standard, nondirectional one.

the volume control of a radio, phonograph, amplifier, etc.

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

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.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR gain ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR gain

1 lose.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR gain ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM gain

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

Words nearby gain

gail, gaillard, gaillard cut, gaillardia, gaily, gain, gain ground, gainer, gaines, gainesville, gainful

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.

tusk(def 4).

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

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

Example sentences from the Web for gain

The email appears to have been a relatively common attempt to gain personal information from a wide range of unwitting victims.

Was Sony Hit With a Second Hack? |Shane Harris |January 8, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
In an effort to gain early attention, he focused his attention on the Iowa precinct caucuses, which had never mattered much.

The World’s Toughest Political Quiz |Jeff Greenfield |December 31, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
They just realized that they could gain power by uniting two very different groups: the same moneyed elites as always, and you.

Dear Evangelicals: You’re Being Had |Jay Michaelson |November 30, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
What specifically did Obama stand to gain if he did what Todd thinks he should do?

Chuck Todd’s Lousy Obama Takedown |William O’Connor |November 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

What does the DPRK stand to gain for releasing two more captured Americans at this moment?

Why North Korea Released Two Americans |Gordon G. Chang |November 9, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Now, I defy the most able Englishman to go to Switzerland and either to gain that income, or to spend it there.

The Old Showmen and the Old London Fairs |Thomas Frost
It is very simple: Texas, wearied with the incessantly renewed exactions of Mexico, has revolted to gain its liberty.

The White Scalper |Gustave Aimard
But one enormous indirect benefit we will gain if we can make Germany a peaceful and harmless State.

The German War |Arthur Conan Doyle
He had everything to gain by saving it as a basis of operations for his army.

The Thirty Years' War |Samuel Rawson Gardiner
Wang Yang-ming failed to gain acceptance for his philosophy.

A history of China., [3d ed. rev. and enl.] |Wolfram Eberhard

British Dictionary definitions for gain (1 of 3)

gain ¹

/ (ɡeɪn) /

verb

(tr) to acquire (something desirable); obtain

(tr) to win in competition to gain the victory

to increase, improve, or advance the car gained speed; the shares gained in value

(tr) to earn (a wage, living, etc)

(intr; usually foll by on or upon)

to get nearer (to) or catch up (on)
to get farther away (from)

(tr) (esp of ships) to get to; reach the steamer gained port

(of a timepiece) to operate too fast, so as to indicate a time ahead of the true time or to run fast by a specified amount this watch gains; it gains ten minutes a day

gain ground to make progress or obtain an advantage

gain time

to obtain extra time by a delay or postponement
(of a timepiece) to operate too fast

noun

something won, acquired, earned, etc; profit; advantage

an increase in size, amount, etc

the act of gaining; attainment; acquisition

Also called: amplification electronics the ratio of the output signal of an amplifier to the input signal, usually measured in decibels

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

In addition to the idiom beginning with gain

gain ground

also see:

ill-gotten gains
no pain, no gain
nothing ventured, nothing gained

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

gain

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

Idioms for gain

Origin of gain

SYNONYMS FOR gain

ANTONYMS FOR gain

OTHER WORDS FROM gain

Words nearby gain

Definition for gain (2 of 2)

noun

verb (used with object)

Origin of gain

Example sentences from the Web for gain

British Dictionary definitions for gain (1 of 3)

verb

noun

Derived forms of gain

Word Origin for gain

British Dictionary definitions for gain (2 of 3)

noun

verb

Word Origin for gain

British Dictionary definitions for gain (3 of 3)

n acronym for (in Canada)

Medical definitions for gain

n.

Idioms and Phrases with gain

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

gain

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

Idioms for gain

Origin of gain

SYNONYMS FOR gain

ANTONYMS FOR gain

OTHER WORDS FROM gain

Words nearby gain

Definition for gain (2 of 2)

noun

verb (used with object)

Origin of gain

Words related to gain

Example sentences from the Web for gain

British Dictionary definitions for gain (1 of 3)

verb

noun

Derived forms of gain

Word Origin for gain

British Dictionary definitions for gain (2 of 3)

noun

verb

Word Origin for gain

British Dictionary definitions for gain (3 of 3)

n acronym for (in Canada)

Medical definitions for gain

n.

Idioms and Phrases with gain