gain

¹

[ geyn ]

verb (used with object)

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

   to gain possession of an object;

   to gain permission to enter a country.

   Synonyms: procure

   Antonyms: dissuade, deter, forfeit, lose

2. to acquire as an increase or addition:

   to gain weight;

   to gain speed.

3. to obtain as a profit:

   He gained ten dollars by this deal.

4. to win; get in competition:

   to gain the prize.

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

   to gain supporters.

6. (of a watch or clock) to run fast by (a specified amount):

   My watch gains six minutes a day.

7. to reach, especially by effort; get to; arrive at:

   to gain one's destination.

   Synonyms: attain

verb (used without object)

1. to improve; make progress; advance:

   to gain in health after an illness.

2. to get nearer, as in pursuit (usually followed by on or upon ):

   Our horse was gaining on the favorite at the far turn.

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

noun

1. profit or advantage.
2. an increase or advance.

   Synonyms: acquisition, increment, increase, advance, addition

3. gains, profits or winnings.
4. the act of gaining; acquisition.
5. Electronics.
   1. a measure of the increase in signal amplitude produced by an amplifier, expressed as the ratio of output to input.
   2. the effectiveness of a directional antenna as compared with a standard, nondirectional one.
6. the volume control of a radio, phonograph, amplifier, etc.

gain

²

[ geyn ]

noun

1. a notch, dado, or mortise cut into a piece of wood, as to receive another piece or to house a flap of a hinge.
2. tusk ( def 4 ).
3. a short rabbet, for receiving a flap of a butt hinge.

verb (used with object)

1. to make a gain or gains in.
2. to fasten or support by means of a gain.

GAIN

¹

/ ɡeɪn /

acronym for

1. Guaranteed Annual Income

gain

²

/ ɡeɪn /

verb

1. tr to acquire (something desirable); obtain
2. tr to win in competition

   to gain the victory

3. to increase, improve, or advance

   the car gained speed

   the shares gained in value

4. tr to earn (a wage, living, etc)
5. intr; usually foll by on or upon
   1. to get nearer (to) or catch up (on)
   2. to get farther away (from)
6. tr (esp of ships) to get to; reach

   the steamer gained port

7. (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

8. gain ground
   to make progress or obtain an advantage
9. gain time
   1. to obtain extra time by a delay or postponement
   2. (of a timepiece) to operate too fast

noun

1. something won, acquired, earned, etc; profit; advantage
2. an increase in size, amount, etc
3. the act of gaining; attainment; acquisition
4. Also calledamplification electronics the ratio of the output signal of an amplifier to the input signal, usually measured in decibels

gain

³

/ ɡeɪn /

noun

1. a notch, mortise, or groove, esp one cut to take the flap of a butt hinge

verb

1. tr to cut a gain or gains in

Derived Forms

• ˈgainable, adjective

Other Words From

• gaina·ble adjective
• un·gaina·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gain¹

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

Origin of gain²

First recorded in 1670–80; of unknown origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of gain¹

C15: from Old French gaaignier, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German weidenen to forage, hunt

Origin of gain²

C17: of obscure origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. gain ground, to progress or advance, as in value, strength, or achievement:

   The company's new products are gaining ground in suburban areas.

2. gain time, to arrange a postponement or delay for a particular purpose, especially by roundabout means.

More idioms and phrases containing gain

In addition to the idiom beginning with gain , also see ill-gotten gains ; no pain, no gain ; nothing ventured, nothing gained .

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

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.

From Freakonomics

On average, participants in each of the program’s training groups saw similar gains.

From Outside Online

The stunning losses followed spectacular gains last month, which drew in many new investors chasing the hype and potential profits.

From Washington Post

Broad-based gains in tech, autos and pharma are pushing global equities ever closer to an all-time high.

From Fortune

Republicans now expect to make gains in upcoming redistricting that could exceed the current 10-seat margin of Democratic control.

From Washington Post

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

From The Daily Beast

In an effort to gain early attention, he focused his attention on the Iowa precinct caucuses, which had never mattered much.

From The Daily Beast

How does it happen that citizens of modest means suffer as public sector unions gain?

From The Daily Beast

But Goff called it “insulting” to suggest that he might be running a super PAC for personal gain.

From The Daily Beast

Those with a slightly sleazier bent have dredged up reports of his weight gain, substance abuse, and arrest.

From The 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.

From Project Gutenberg

To add point to this success, he knew that the victor of Montebello was straining every nerve to gain this very prize.

From Project Gutenberg

How great glory did he gain when he lifted up his hands, and stretched out swords against the cities?

From Project Gutenberg

We have other things to engage us now, but I sometimes think all is not gain that the march of progress brings.

From Project Gutenberg

The power to expel members is incident to every society or association unless organized primarily for gain.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• achievement
• acquisition
• advance
• advantage
• benefit
• boost
• cut
• dividend
• earnings
• growth
• hike
• improvement
• income
• increase
• payoff
• proceeds
• profit
• progress
• return
• rise