bargain

[ bahr-guhn ]

/ ˈbɑr gən /

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR bargain ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an advantageous purchase, especially one acquired at less than the usual cost: The sale offered bargains galore.

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

such an agreement as affecting one of the parties: a losing bargain.

something acquired by bargaining.

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)

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

to come to an agreement; make a bargain: We bargained on a three-year term.

verb (used with object)

to arrange by bargain; negotiate: to bargain a new wage increase.

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 Phrases

bargain for, to anticipate or take into account: The job turned out to be more than he had bargained for.

bargain on, to expect or anticipate; count or rely on: You can't bargain on what she'll do in this situation.

Nearby words

Idioms

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.

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.

Origin of bargain

1300–50; (v.) Middle English bargaynen < Anglo-French, Old French bargai(g)ner, probably < Frankish *borganjan, extended form of Germanic *borgan (compare Old High German bor(a)gēn to look after, Middle High German, German borgen to lend, borrow); (noun) Middle English bargayn < Anglo-French, Old French bargai(g)ne, bargain, noun derivative of the v.; o > a in 1st syllable is unexplained

SYNONYMS FOR bargain

2 stipulation, arrangement, transaction.

7 contract, covenant.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR bargain ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

bar·gain·a·ble, adjectivebar·gain·er, nounout·bar·gain, verb (used with object)pre·bar·gain, verb (used with object)

pro·bar·gain·ing, adjectiveun·bar·gained, adjective

Synonym study

2. See agreement. 6. See trade.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bargaining

It invites dictatorial and rogue regimes to use Americans serving overseas as bargaining chips.
Aging Cuban Exiles And Their Lawmakers Bypassed by White House|Romina Ruiz-Goiriena|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That victory for the tab became a bargaining chip in all future dealings with the superstar.
I Warned You About Bill Cosby in 2007|Mark Ebner|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Speaking to reporters in Ankara, Erdogan said there were critics accusing Turkey of bargaining with ISIS.
The Turks to ISIS: ‘Let’s Make a Deal’|Thomas Seibert|September 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This one was about bargaining: “The other side threatens you with death so you would be happy with a fever.”
Iran Supreme Leader Spills the Nuke Talk Secrets|IranWire|July 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The separatists had sought to use them as bargaining chips in a prisoner exchange with Kiev.
Carnage in Ukraine: Dozens of Pro-Russia Activists Die in Odessa|Jamie Dettmer|May 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Beneath this disguise was concealed a keen knowledge of art, combined with a ferocious skill in bargaining.
A Zola Dictionary|J. G. Patterson
About the petition there is something of selfishness and bargaining—to worship is more than to beg.
The Ministry of Intercession|Andrew Murray
I am bargaining in the market where a man may barter his worn-out life at a profit of a hundred per cent.
Debts of Honor|Maurus Jkai
In one corner the American officials were bargaining with Mr. Dale for his Sky-line men to ride with the prisoners and the cattle.
A Man in the Open|Roger Pocock
He did mind, not bargaining for learning lessons in the holidays; but he could not show himself so uncivil a boor as to refuse.
Dr. Jolliffe's Boys|Lewis Hough

British Dictionary definitions for bargaining

bargain

/ (ˈbɑːɡɪn) /

noun

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

something acquired or received in such an agreement

something bought or offered at a low pricea bargain at an auction
(as modifier)a bargain price

into the bargain or US in the bargain in excess of what has been stipulated; besides

make a bargain or strike a bargain to agree on terms

verb

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

(tr) to exchange, as in a bargain

to arrive at (an agreement or settlement)

Derived Formsbargainer, nounbargaining, noun, adjective

Word Origin for bargain

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

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

Word Origin and History for bargaining (1 of 2)

bargain

mid-14c., "business transaction or agreement," also "that which is acquired by bargaining," from Old French bargaine, from bargaignier (see bargain (v.)). Meaning "article priced for special sale" is from 1899. A bargain basement (1899) originally was a basement floor in a store where bargains were displayed.

Word Origin and History for bargaining (1 of 2)

bargain

late 14c., from Old French bargaignier (12c., Modern French barguigner) "to haggle over the price," perhaps from Frankish *borganjan "to lend" or some other Germanic source, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *borgan (cf. Old High German borgen; Old English borgian, source of borrow). Another suggestion is that the French word comes from Late Latin barca "a barge," because it "carries goods to and fro." There are difficulties with both suggestions. Related: Bargained; bargaining.

Idioms and Phrases with bargaining

bargain

In addition to the idiom beginning with bargain

bargain for

also see:

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

bargain

noun

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

Verb Phrases

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of bargain

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for bargaining

British Dictionary definitions for bargaining

bargain

noun

verb

Word Origin for bargain

Word Origin and History for bargaining (1 of 2)

bargain

Word Origin and History for bargaining (1 of 2)

bargain

Idioms and Phrases with bargaining

bargain