bargain

[bahr-guhn]

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.

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.

bargain

/ 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

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)

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bargain¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bargain¹

C14: from Old French bargaigne , from bargaignier to trade, of Germanic origin; compare Medieval Latin barcāniāre to trade, Old English borgian to borrow

Idioms and Phrases

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.

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

Synonym Study

See agreement. See trade.

Example Sentences

Whether this threat is simply a bargaining tactic remains to be seen, and it’s unclear whether health-related workers and agencies are in the crosshairs.

From Salon

He wants to revive his ambition to broker a grand bargain in the Middle East, at the centre of which would be a rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

From BBC

He has amassed more than 2 million followers on TikTok by showcasing his bargaining and verification skills.

From Los Angeles Times

But the hostages are the group's only bargaining chip - and it's unclear whether it would be willing to release them before other elements of the deal are finalised.

From BBC

She described China's recent announcements about the chip sector as a "bargaining chip" in its months-long tariffs negotiations with the US.

From BBC

Related Words

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