bargain

American  

[bahr-guhn] / ˈbɑr gən /

noun

1. an advantageous purchase, especially one acquired at less than the usual cost.

   The sale offered bargains galore.

2. an agreement between parties settling what each shall give and take or perform and receive in a transaction.

   Synonyms:

   transaction , arrangement , stipulation

3. such an agreement as affecting one of the parties.

   a losing bargain.

4. something acquired by bargaining.

5. Informal.  an agreeable person, especially one who causes no trouble or difficulty (usually used in negative constructions).

   His boss is no bargain.

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verb (used without object)

1. to discuss the terms of a bargain; haggle; negotiate.

2. to come to an agreement; make a bargain.

   We bargained on a three-year term.

   Synonyms:

   covenant , contract

verb (used with object)

1. to arrange by bargain; negotiate.

   to bargain a new wage increase.

2. to anticipate as likely to occur; expect (usually followed by a clause).

   I'll bargain that he's going to give those company directors plenty of trouble.

verb phrase

1. bargain on  to expect or anticipate; count or rely on.

   You can't bargain on what she'll do in this situation.

2. bargain for  to anticipate or take into account.

   The job turned out to be more than he had bargained for.

idioms

1. strike a bargain,  to make a bargain; agree to terms.

   They were unable to strike a bargain because the owner's asking price was more than the prospective buyer could afford.

2. in / into the bargain,  over and above what has been stipulated; moreover; besides.

   The new housekeeper proved to be a fine cook in the bargain.

bargain British  

/ ˈbɑːɡɪn /

noun

1. an agreement or contract establishing what each party will give, receive, or perform in a transaction between them

2. something acquired or received in such an agreement

3. 1. something bought or offered at a low price

      a bargain at an auction

   2. ( as modifier )

      a bargain price

4. in excess of what has been stipulated; besides

5. to agree on terms

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verb

1. (intr) to negotiate the terms of an agreement, transaction, etc

2. (tr) to exchange, as in a bargain

3. to arrive at (an agreement or settlement)

bargain More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing bargain

• drive a bargain
• into the bargain
• make the best of it (a bad bargain)
• more than one bargained for
• strike a bargain

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Related Words

See agreement. See trade.

Other Word Forms

• bargainable adjective
• bargainer noun
• bargaining noun
• outbargain verb (used with object)
• prebargain verb (used with object)
• probargaining adjective
• unbargained adjective

Etymology

Origin of bargain

First recorded in 1300–50; (for the verb) Middle English bargaynen, from Anglo-French, Old French bargai(g)ner, probably from Frankish borganjan (unrecorded); cognate with Old High German bor(a)gēn “to look after” ( German borgen “to lend”); (for the noun) Middle English bargayn, from Anglo-French, Old French bargai(g)ne, bargain, derivative of the verb; borrow

Example Sentences

But informality and ambiguity remain a feature, not a bug, of China’s approach to coercive economic bargaining.

From The Wall Street Journal

Roosevelt’s National Industrial Recovery Act granted workers the right to collectively bargain.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s always worth watching out for time-sensitive deals and money-saving bundles, too — and you can find plenty of bargains right now with Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts for streaming subscriptions.

From MarketWatch

Higher-income Americans are driving much of the gains, as lower-income shoppers seek bargains and are more likely to spend more on necessities.

From Los Angeles Times

He warns against weakening workers' bargaining power, especially as technology displaces jobs and unemployment remains high.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrangement
• contract
• deal
• negotiation
• pact
• transaction
• understanding