gain
1[ geyn ]
/ geɪn /
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verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
OTHER WORDS FOR gain
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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
1First 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
synonym study for gain
1. 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.
OTHER WORDS FROM gain
gain·a·ble, adjectiveun·gain·a·ble, adjectiveOther definitions for gain (2 of 2)
gain2
[ geyn ]
/ geɪn /
noun
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.
verb (used with object)
to make a gain or gains in.
to fasten or support by means of a gain.
Origin of gain
2First recorded in 1670–80; of unknown origin
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use gain in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for gain (1 of 3)
gain1
/ (ɡeɪn) /
verb
noun
See also gains
Derived forms of gain
gainable, adjectiveWord Origin for gain
C15: from Old French gaaignier, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German weidenen to forage, hunt
British Dictionary definitions for gain (2 of 3)
gain2
/ (ɡeɪn) /
noun
a notch, mortise, or groove, esp one cut to take the flap of a butt hinge
verb
(tr) to cut a gain or gains in
Word Origin for gain
C17: of obscure origin
British Dictionary definitions for gain (3 of 3)
GAIN
/ (ɡeɪn) /
n acronym for (in Canada)
Guaranteed Annual Income
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Medical definitions for gain
gain
[ gān ]
n.
An increase in amount or degree.
Progress; advancement.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Other Idioms and Phrases with gain
gain
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.