gain
7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for gain, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To get or come to have something, especially something useful or valuable.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Antonyms
How to use gain
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English gain ("profit, advantage"), from Old Norse gagn ("benefit, use"), later reinforced by an Old French word meaning "profit" or "cultivation."
Full origin of gain →Frequently asked questions
What does “gain” mean?
The word “gain” means to get or come to have something, especially something useful or valuable. In plain terms, to get more of something — money, weight, speed, trust — or the increase itself.
How do you pronounce “gain”?
“Gain” is pronounced gayn (/ɡeɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “gain” in a sentence?
Here is “gain” used in a sentence: “She gained a lot of experience working abroad.”
What is the opposite of “gain”?
The opposite of “gain” — its antonyms — are lose and loss.
What part of speech is “gain”?
Depending on how it is used, “gain” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “gain” come from?
The word “gain” comes from Old French. From Middle English gain ("profit, advantage"), from Old Norse gagn ("benefit, use"), later reinforced by an Old French word meaning "profit" or "cultivation.".
Is “gain” a common word?
“Gain” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “gain” have?
“Gain” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to get or come to have something, especially something useful or valuable.
What is the difference between "gain" and "earn"?
"Earn" means to get something through work or merit, like earning a wage or earning respect. "Gain" is broader, since you can gain something through effort, luck, or circumstance, such as gaining experience or gaining weight. All earning is a kind of gaining, but not all gaining is earned.
What is the opposite of "gain"?
The main opposites are "lose" and "forfeit." When you gain something you acquire it; when you lose it, it slips away. "Gain weight" contrasts with "lose weight," and "gain ground" contrasts with "lose ground." The exact antonym depends on what is being gained.
Is "gain" a positive word?
Usually yes, since gaining knowledge, skill, or an advantage is beneficial. But it depends on context. Gaining weight, gaining debt, or an ill-gotten gain can be negative. The word itself is neutral; what decides whether it is good or bad is the thing being gained.
What is an example of "gain" in a sentence?
"She hopes to gain experience at her new job" means to acquire something valuable. "They gained an advantage early in the match" means to get ahead. Both use "gain" in its core sense of coming to have something useful or worthwhile.