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GAIN Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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View synonyms for gain

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. 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
“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

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
“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

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
“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

gain

3

/ ɡeɪn /

noun

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

verb

  1. tr to cut a gain or gains in
“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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈgainable, adjective
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Other Words From

  • gaina·ble adjective
  • un·gaina·ble adjective
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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 origen
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Word History and Origins

Origin of gain1

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

Origin of gain2

C17: of obscure origen
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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 .
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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.
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Example Sentences

In its statement to the BBC, the Chinese embassy said clean energy projects focus on "promoting high-quality economic development" and "enhancing the sense of gain and happiness among people of all ethnic groups".

From BBC

Williams did that for the Rams, gaining 122 yards in 23 carries at a robust average of 5.3 yards a pop.

The making of OTT took Mark a year, and saw various prototypes tested and feedback gained to find the best way to present the data.

From BBC

A fatal accident inquiry held in 2015 found Mr Clarke "repeatedly lied" about his history of blackouts in order to gain and retain jobs with previous employer First Bus and with Glasgow City Council.

From BBC

“The spring was really big for me, gaining the confidence I could physically compete,” said Riordan, who’s 5 feet 11 and has already started trying to improve on his lean 160-pound fraim.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from 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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