bargain
Bargain (noun) means an item bought for noticeably less than its usual price; a good deal. Example: “At half price, that coat was an absolute bargain.”
How to use bargain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a good deal on a purchase, or the act of negotiating one.
The phrase "bargain for" means to expect or anticipate something, usually something unwelcome, as in "more than I bargained for" — distinct from "bargain with" (to negotiate).
Word forms
bargained past tense, bargains plural, bargains singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
At half price, that coat was an absolute _____.
Etymology
From Old French bargaignier, tracing back to a Germanic root meaning "to borrow or lend" — the sense shifted over time from lending to trading and negotiating.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bargain
See all rhymes for bargain →Frequently asked questions
What does “bargain” mean?
The word “bargain” means an item bought for noticeably less than its usual price; a good deal. In plain terms, either a good deal on a purchase, or the act of negotiating one.
How do you pronounce “bargain”?
“Bargain” is pronounced BAH-guhn (/ˈbɑːɹɡən/ in IPA).
How do you use “bargain” in a sentence?
Here is “bargain” used in a sentence: “At half price, that coat was an absolute bargain.”
What is another word for “bargain”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bargain” include agree, come to terms, contract, covenant, deal and do business.
What part of speech is “bargain”?
Depending on how it is used, “bargain” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bargain” come from?
The word “bargain” comes from Old French. From Old French bargaignier, tracing back to a Germanic root meaning "to borrow or lend" — the sense shifted over time from lending to trading and negotiating.
Is “bargain” a common word?
“Bargain” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “bargain” have?
“Bargain” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an item bought for noticeably less than its usual price; a good deal.
What is the difference between bargain and haggle?
To "bargain" is to negotiate the terms of a deal, especially over price, and "haggle" is a near-synonym that stresses persistent back-and-forth over price. Haggling is a more insistent, drawn-out form of bargaining.
What is the difference between a bargain and a discount?
A "bargain" is an item bought for noticeably less than its usual price, a good deal from the buyer's point of view, while a "discount" is the price reduction itself offered by the seller. A discount can create a bargain, but the bargain is the deal the buyer ends up with.
What are common collocations with bargain?
"Bargain" often appears in phrases such as "bargain hunter," "bargain price," "drive a hard bargain," and "strike a bargain." "Drive a hard bargain" uses the negotiation sense, while "bargain price" uses the good-deal sense.
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Vocabulary lists that include bargain: