verb

gain

gayn

verb

To get or come to have something, especially something useful or valuable.

"She gained a lot of experience working abroad."

"He gained the trust of his colleagues over time."

To increase in weight, speed, value, or some other measurable quantity.

"The plane began to gain altitude."

"He gained a few pounds over the holidays."

To win or come out ahead in a contest or competition.

"The team gained a narrow victory in the final minute."

noun

An increase, improvement, or something acquired as a benefit.

"The company reported strong gains last quarter."

"There's no gain without some risk."

In electronics, the amount by which a device amplifies a signal.

"Turning up the gain on the amplifier made the guitar much louder."

How to Use Gain

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo get more of something — money, weight, speed, trust — or the increase itself.

Common mistake

As a noun, "gain" usually needs a clear context (gains in profit, weight, etc.) — on its own it can sound vague.

Common pairings

gain weight gain experience gain ground ill-gotten gains

Word Forms

more gain comparative, more gain comparative, gained past tense, gain'd past tense, gain plural, gained plural, gain'd plural, gains plural, gains plural, Gains plural, gains singular, gain singular, gained singular, gain'd singular, gainest singular, gainedst singular, gaineth singular, most gain superlative, most gain superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She _____ a lot of experience working abroad.

Etymology

From Middle English gain ("profit, advantage"), from Old Norse gagn ("benefit, use"), later reinforced by an Old French word meaning "profit" or "cultivation."

Antonyms

lose loss

Related Words

increase accumulate achieve win lose loss defeat acquire

Rhymes for gain

ain rain pain lain main vain fain bain Iain Jain Cain Spain

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