bargain

[ bahr-guhn ]

noun

1. an advantageous purchase, especially one acquired at less than the usual cost:

   The sale offered bargains galore.

2. an agreement between parties settling what each shall give and take or perform and receive in a transaction.

   Synonyms: transaction, arrangement, stipulation

3. such an agreement as affecting one of the parties:

   a losing bargain.

4. something acquired by bargaining.
5. Informal. an agreeable person, especially one who causes no trouble or difficulty (usually used in negative constructions):

   His boss is no bargain.

verb (used without object)

1. to discuss the terms of a bargain; haggle; negotiate.
2. to come to an agreement; make a bargain:

   We bargained on a three-year term.

   Synonyms: covenant, contract

verb (used with object)

1. to arrange by bargain; negotiate:

   to bargain a new wage increase.

2. to anticipate as likely to occur; expect (usually followed by a clause):

   I'll bargain that he's going to give those company directors plenty of trouble.

verb phrase

1. to expect or anticipate; count or rely on:

   You can't bargain on what she'll do in this situation.

2. to anticipate or take into account:

   The job turned out to be more than he had bargained for.

bargain

/ ˈbɑːɡɪn /

noun

1. an agreement or contract establishing what each party will give, receive, or perform in a transaction between them
2. something acquired or received in such an agreement
3. 1. something bought or offered at a low price

      a bargain at an auction

   2. ( as modifier )

      a bargain price

4. into the bargain or in the bargain
   in excess of what has been stipulated; besides
5. make a bargain or strike a bargain
   to agree on terms

verb

1. intr to negotiate the terms of an agreement, transaction, etc
2. tr to exchange, as in a bargain
3. to arrive at (an agreement or settlement)

Derived Forms

• ˈbargainer, noun
• ˈbargaining, nounadjective

Other Words From

• bargain·a·ble adjective
• bargain·er noun
• outbargain verb (used with object)
• pre·bargain verb (used with object)
• pro·bargain·ing adjective
• un·bargained adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bargain¹

First recorded in 1300–50; (for the verb) Middle English bargaynen, from Anglo-French, Old French bargai(g)ner, probably from Frankish borganjan (unrecorded); cognate with Old High German bor(a)gēn “to look after” ( German borgen “to lend”); (for the noun) Middle English bargayn, from Anglo-French, Old French bargai(g)ne, bargain, derivative of the verb; borrow

Word History and Origins

Origin of bargain¹

C14: from Old French bargaigne , from bargaignier to trade, of Germanic origin; compare Medieval Latin barcāniāre to trade, Old English borgian to borrow

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in / into the bargain, over and above what has been stipulated; moreover; besides:

   The new housekeeper proved to be a fine cook in the bargain.

2. strike a bargain, to make a bargain; agree to terms:

   They were unable to strike a bargain because the owner's asking price was more than the prospective buyer could afford.

More idioms and phrases containing bargain

In addition to the idiom beginning with bargain , also see drive a bargain ; into the bargain ; make the best of it (a bad bargain) ; more than one bargained for ; strike a bargain .

Synonym Study

See agreement. See trade.

Example Sentences

The first Trump administration preferred direct deal-making, whereby autocrats cut a private bargain over the counter.

From BBC

But if there is a reshuffle of the Middle Eastern political cards, a bargain over Sudan might be a by-product, even an opportunity for Trump to bask in the glow of an unexpected peacemaker.

From BBC

He had pressured her to pay him more and more money for bargain luxury goods that never appeared, so when someone she knew offered to post about him on a Facebook group called 'Are We Dating The Same Guy?', she agreed.

From BBC

At $200 million, the county would get the Gas Company Tower for about $137 a square foot, still a bargain by historical standards.

From Los Angeles Times

The arrival of Nikola Milenkovic from Fiorentina - for a little less than the reported £12m - has already looked a bargain and he has formed an impressive partnership with Brazilian Murillo at the back.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrangement
• contract
• deal
• negotiation
• pact
• transaction
• understanding