gain
2gain
verbDefinition of GAIN
transitive verb
1
a : to acquire or get possession of usually by industry, merit, or craft <gain an advantage> <he stood to gain a fortune> b : to win in competition or conflict <the troops gained enemy territory> c (1) : to arrive at : reach, attain <gained the river that night> (2) : traverse, cover <gained 10 yards on the play> d : to get by a natural development or process <gain strength> e : to establish a specific relationship with <gain a friend>
2
a : to make an increase of (a specified amount) <gained three percent in the past month> b : to increase in (a particular quality) <gain momentum>
3
: to win to one's side : persuade <gain adherents to a cause>
4
: to cause to be obtained or given : attract <gain attention>
5
of a timepiece : to run fast by the amount of <the clock gains a minute a day>
intransitive verb
1
: to get advantage : profit <hoped to gain by the deal>
2
a : increase <the day was gaining in warmth> b : to increase in weight c : to improve in health or ability
3
of a timepiece : to run fast
4
: to get closer to something pursued —usually used with on or upon
— gain·er noun
— gain ground
: to make progress
Examples of GAIN
- They stand to gain an advantage over their competitors by getting an early start.
- What do you hope to gain from this?
- gain control of the territory
- Investigators are trying to gain access to the group's financial records.
- We were unable to gain admission to the club.
- We need to gain a better understanding of the problem.
- They had nothing to lose and everything to gain.
- He first gained attention as a young writer.
- Her theories are slowly gaining acceptance.
- I took the job to gain experience.
First Known Use of GAIN
14th century
Related to GAIN
Related Words: double (in), triple (in); accrue, accumulate, amass; excite, stimulate; enhance, enlarge, enrich, expand, extend, maximize; boost, elevate, jack (up), mount, ramp (up), step up
Near Antonyms: abate, decline (in), diminish (in), dip, dwindle, fall (in), lessen, taper, taper off
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