gain

[ geyn ]

/ geɪn /

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See synonyms for: gain / gained / gaining / gains on Thesaurus.com

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR gain

1 procure.

7 attain.

13 addition, advance, increase, increment, acquisition.

See synonyms for gain on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR gain

2 lose.

4 forfeit.

5 deter, dissuade.

See antonyms for gain on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about 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

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English noun, from Middle French gain, contraction of Old French gaaing, noun derivative of ga(a)ignier “to till, earn, win,” from Germanic

synonym study for gain

1. Gain, attain, earn, win imply obtaining a reward or something advantageous. Gain carries the least suggestion of method or of effort expended: After battling the blizzard, we finally gained our destination. Attain emphasizes the reaching of a goal: to attain stardom. Earn emphasizes the exertions and labor expended that deserve reward: to earn a promotion. Win emphasizes attainment in spite of competition or opposition: to win support in a campaign.

OTHER WORDS FROM gain

gain·a·ble, adjectiveun·gain·a·ble, adjective

Words nearby gain

Gaikwar, Gail, Gaillard Cut, gaillardia, gaily, gain, gainer, Gaines, Gainesville, gainful, gaingiving

Other definitions for gain (2 of 2)

gain²

[ 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

First recorded in 1670–80; of unknown origin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gain in a sentence

Because if I ask the question, there’s a chance I might blow up a personal relationship or ruin a work relationship, whereas the gains to be made are, in some cases at least not life-changing.
Can I Ask You a Ridiculously Personal Question? (Ep. 451)|Stephen J. Dubner|February 11, 2021|Freakonomics
On average, participants in each of the program’s training groups saw similar gains.
Want to Improve Your Running? Focus on Recovery.|Outside Editors|February 5, 2021|Outside Online
The stunning losses followed spectacular gains last month, which drew in many new investors chasing the hype and potential profits.
Robinhood lifts GameStop restrictions as U.S. markets close in on best week since November|Hamza Shaban|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
Broad-based gains in tech, autos and pharma are pushing global equities ever closer to an all-time high.
Here’s what’s driving global stocks to new all-time highs|Bernhard Warner|February 5, 2021|Fortune

Republicans now expect to make gains in upcoming redistricting that could exceed the current 10-seat margin of Democratic control.
Republicans worry their big tent will mean big problems in 2022 elections|Michael Scherer, Josh Dawsey|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
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
How does it happen that citizens of modest means suffer as public sector unions gain?
How Public Sector Unions Divide the Democrats|Daniel DiSalvo|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But Goff called it “insulting” to suggest that he might be running a super PAC for personal gain.
‘Ready for Romney’ Is Amateur Hour|Tim Mak|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Those with a slightly sleazier bent have dredged up reports of his weight gain, substance abuse, and arrest.
D’Angelo’s ‘Black Messiah’ Was Worth Waiting 15 Years For|James Joiner|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Renounce the good law of the worshippers of Mazda, and thou shalt gain such a boon as the Murderer gained, the ruler of nations.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
To add point to this success, he knew that the victor of Montebello was straining every nerve to gain this very prize.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
How great glory did he gain when he lifted up his hands, and stretched out swords against the cities?
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
We have other things to engage us now, but I sometimes think all is not gain that the march of progress brings.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
The power to expel members is incident to every society or association unless organized primarily for gain.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles

British Dictionary definitions for gain (1 of 3)

gain¹

/ (ɡeɪn) /

verb

(tr) to acquire (something desirable); obtain

(tr) to win in competitionto gain the victory

to increase, improve, or advancethe 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; reachthe 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 amountthis 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)

gain²

/ (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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other 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

gain

OTHER WORDS FOR gain

OPPOSITES FOR gain

Idioms about gain

Origin of gain

synonym study for gain

OTHER WORDS FROM gain

Words nearby gain

Other definitions for gain (2 of 2)

Origin of gain

Words related to gain

How to use gain in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gain (1 of 3)

Derived forms of gain

Word Origin for gain

British Dictionary definitions for gain (2 of 3)

Word Origin for gain

British Dictionary definitions for gain (3 of 3)

Other Idioms and Phrases with gain