gain
gayn
Gain (verb) means to get or come to have something, especially something useful or valuable. Example: “By volunteering at the hospital, he hopes to gain confidence and new skills.”
verb
1
To get or come to have something, especially something useful or valuable.
"By volunteering at the hospital, he hopes to gain confidence and new skills."
"She gained a lot of experience working abroad."
"He gained the trust of his colleagues over time."
2
To increase in weight, speed, value, or some other measurable quantity.
"The cyclist gained speed as she flew down the long hill."
"The plane began to gain altitude."
"He gained a few pounds over the holidays."
3
To win or come out ahead in a contest or competition.
"Our local side gained the title after a thrilling last match."
"She gained first prize in the competition by a single point."
"The team gained a narrow victory in the final minute."
noun
1
An increase, improvement, or something acquired as a benefit.
"Learning to cook was a real gain for the whole family."
"The company reported strong gains last quarter."
"There's no gain without some risk."
2
In electronics, the amount by which a device amplifies a signal.
"Lower the gain if the microphone starts to squeal."
"The preamp has a gain control that boosts weak signals before they reach the speakers."
"Turning up the gain on the amplifier made the guitar much louder."
How to use gain
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- gains
- Third person singular
- gains
- Past tense
- gained, gain'd
- Comparative
- more gain
- Superlative
- most gain
- Archaic forms
- gainest, gainedst, gaineth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
By volunteering at the hospital, he hopes to _____ confidence and new skills.
Etymology
From Middle English gain ("profit, advantage"), from Old Norse gagn ("benefit, use"), later reinforced by an Old French word meaning "profit" or "cultivation."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for gain
See all rhymes for 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.
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