gain
1to 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.
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.
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.
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
1synonym study For gain
Other words for gain
Opposites for gain
Other words from gain
- gain·a·ble, adjective
- un·gain·a·ble, adjective
Words Nearby gain
Other definitions for gain (2 of 2)
a notch, dado, or mortise cut into a piece of wood, as to receive another piece or to house a flap of a hinge.
a short rabbet, for receiving a flap of a butt hinge.
to make a gain or gains in.
to fasten or support by means of a gain.
Origin of gain
2Dictionary.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 | FreakonomicsOn 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 OnlineThe 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 PostBroad-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 | FortuneRepublicans 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.
In an effort to gain early attention, he focused his attention on the Iowa precinct caucuses, which had never mattered much.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTBut Goff called it “insulting” to suggest that he might be running a super PAC for personal gain.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTRenounce 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 ConwayTo 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-PattisonHow great glory did he gain when he lifted up his hands, and stretched out swords against the cities?
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousWe 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 TatlowThe 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)
/ (ɡeɪn) /
(tr) to acquire (something desirable); obtain
(tr) to win in competition: to gain the victory
to increase, improve, or advance: the 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; reach: the 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 amount: this 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
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
Origin of gain
1- See also gains
Derived forms of gain
- gainable, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for gain (2 of 3)
/ (ɡeɪn) /
a notch, mortise, or groove, esp one cut to take the flap of a butt hinge
(tr) to cut a gain or gains in
Origin of gain
2British Dictionary definitions for GAIN (3 of 3)
/ (ɡeɪn) /
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
In addition to the idiom beginning with gain
- gain ground
also see:
- ill-gotten gains
- no pain, no gain
- nothing ventured, nothing gained
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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