gain

[ geyn ]

/ geɪn /

|||

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verb (used with object)

to 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.

verb (used without object)

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.

noun

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.

Nearby words

gail, gaillard, gaillard cut, gaillardia, gaily, gain, gain ground, gainer, gaines, gaines, edmund pendleton, gainesville

Idioms

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

1425–75; late Middle English (noun) < Middle French, contraction of Old French gaaing, noun derivative of gaaignier to till, earn, win < Germanic; compare Old High German weidanōn to hunt, forage for food

SYNONYMS FOR gain

1 procure. Gain, attain, earn, win imply obtaining a reward or something advantageous. Gain carries the least suggestion of method or of effort expended. Attain emphasizes the reaching of a goal. Earn emphasizes the exertions and labor expended that deserve reward. Win emphasizes attainment in spite of competition or opposition.

7 attain.

13 addition, increment, acquisition.

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ANTONYMS FOR gain

1 lose.

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Related forms

gain·a·ble, adjectiveun·gain·a·ble, adjective

Definition for gaining (2 of 2)

gain

[ geyn ]

/ geɪn /

Carpentry.

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.

tusk(def 4).

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

1670–80; perhaps akin to obsolete gane, Old English (north) ganian to yawn, open

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

Examples from the Web for gaining

Consumers are also gaining the ability to take the designs into their own hands as 3D printing becomes more accessible.
What, and Who, You'll Be Wearing in 2015|Justin Jones|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Later studies showed that only gaining weight and the return of natural menstruation help improve bone density.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sudan has been plagued by years of political instability, which has prevented tourism from gaining traction.
Egypt Ain’t The Only Pyramid Show In Town|Nina Strochlic|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Gaining access to them can be fairly easy, which could make them more vulnerable to attack, researchers say.
How Your Pacemaker Will Get Hacked|Kaiser Health News|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A third group, Al-Hirak Al Janoubi, is gaining ground with calls for southern Yemen to secede.
Yemen’s a Model All Right—For Disaster|Michael Shank , Casey Harrity|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Knowing that I had not, he began to suspect foul play, and determined on gaining admittance to me.
The Heroine|Eaton Stannard Barrett
The Indians were nearly half a mile behind him, and, as nearly as he could tell, were not gaining upon him very rapidly.
The Big Brother|George Cary Eggleston
Not a shot was fired by the Canadians, and they quietly crept back, gaining their trenches with comparatively little loss.
War's Brighter Side|Julian Ralph.
He just gave himself up to the chance of gaining good out of all the evil.
Joyce of the North Woods|Harriet T. Comstock
But there is one wild hope for me—the possibility of gaining this old lady's consent.
The Old Countess; or, The Two Proposals|Ann S. Stephens

British Dictionary definitions for gaining (1 of 3)

GAIN

/ (ɡeɪn) /

n acronym for (in Canada)

Guaranteed Annual Income

British Dictionary definitions for gaining (2 of 3)

gain

/ (ɡeɪn) /

verb

(tr) to acquire (something desirable); obtain

(tr) to win in competitionto gain the victory

to increase, improve, or advancethe 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; reachthe 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 amountthis 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

noun

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

Derived Forms

gainable, adjective

Word Origin for gain

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

British Dictionary definitions for gaining (3 of 3)

gain

/ (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

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

Medicine definitions for gaining

gain

[ gān ]

n.

An increase in amount or degree.

Progress; advancement.

Idioms and Phrases with gaining

gain

In addition to the idiom beginning with gain

gain ground

also see:

ill-gotten gains
no pain, no gain
nothing ventured, nothing gained

gain

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of gain

SYNONYMS FOR gain

ANTONYMS FOR gain

Related forms

Definition for gaining (2 of 2)

gain

noun

verb (used with object)

Origin of gain

Examples from the Web for gaining

British Dictionary definitions for gaining (1 of 3)

GAIN

n acronym for (in Canada)

British Dictionary definitions for gaining (2 of 3)

gain

verb

noun

Derived Forms

Word Origin for gain

British Dictionary definitions for gaining (3 of 3)

gain

noun

verb

Word Origin for gain

Medicine definitions for gaining

gain

n.

Idioms and Phrases with gaining

gain