bargain
BAH-guhn
Bargain (noun) means an item bought for noticeably less than its usual price; a good deal. Example: “Getting a brand new sofa for that price was a genuine bargain.”
noun
1
An item bought for noticeably less than its usual price; a good deal.
"Getting a brand new sofa for that price was a genuine bargain."
"At half price, that coat was an absolute bargain."
"She found a real bargain on last season's shoes."
2
An agreement between two parties, especially over a sale or exchange.
"They struck a bargain over the price of the car."
verb
1
To negotiate the terms of a deal, especially over price; to haggle.
"Tourists are often expected to bargain for souvenirs at the street stalls."
"If you bargain politely, the seller may knock a little off the price."
"He bargained with the market seller until they agreed on a price."
How to use bargain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a good deal on a purchase, or the act of negotiating one.
Common mistake
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).
Common pairings
strike a bargain
bargain price
bargain with someone
bargain hunter
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Word forms
- Plural
- bargains
- Third person singular
- bargains
- Past tense
- bargained
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Getting a brand new sofa for that price was a genuine _____.
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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