gain

¹ American  

[geyn] / geɪn /

verb (used with object)

1. to get (something desired), especially as a result of one's efforts: to gain permission to enter a country.

   to gain possession of an object;

   to gain permission to enter a country.

   Synonyms:

   procure

   Antonyms:

   dissuade, deter, forfeit, lose

2. to acquire as an increase or addition.

   to gain weight;

   to gain speed.

3. to obtain as a profit.

   He gained ten dollars by this deal.

4. to win; get in competition.

   to gain the prize.

5. to win (someone) to one's own side or point of view; persuade (sometimes followed byover ).

   to gain supporters.

6. (of a watch or clock) to run fast by (a specified amount).

   My watch gains six minutes a day.

7. to reach, especially by effort; get to; arrive at.

   to gain one's destination.

   Synonyms:

   attain

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verb (used without object)

1. to improve; make progress; advance.

   to gain in health after an illness.

2. to get nearer, as in pursuit (usually followed by on orupon ).

   Our horse was gaining on the favorite at the far turn.

3. to draw away from or farther ahead of the other contestants in a race, one's pursuers, etc. (usually followed by on orupon ).

4. (of a watch or clock) to run fast.

noun

1. profit or advantage.

2. an increase or advance.

   Synonyms:

   acquisition, increment, increase, advance, addition

3. gains, profits or winnings.

4. the act of gaining; acquisition.

5. Electronics.

   1. a measure of the increase in signal amplitude produced by an amplifier, expressed as the ratio of output to input.

   2. the effectiveness of a directional antenna as compared with a standard, nondirectional one.

6. the volume control of a radio, phonograph, amplifier, etc.

idioms

1. gain time, to arrange a postponement or delay for a particular purpose, especially by roundabout means.

2. gain ground, to progress or advance, as in value, strength, or achievement.

   The company's new products are gaining ground in suburban areas.

gain ² American  

[geyn] / geɪn /

noun

1. a notch, dado, or mortise cut into a piece of wood, as to receive another piece or to house a flap of a hinge.

2. tusk.

3. a short rabbet, for receiving a flap of a butt hinge.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make a gain or gains in.

2. to fasten or support by means of a gain.

gain ¹ British  

/ ɡeɪn /

verb

1. (tr) to acquire (something desirable); obtain

2. (tr) to win in competition

   to gain the victory

3. to increase, improve, or advance

   the car gained speed

   the shares gained in value

4. (tr) to earn (a wage, living, etc)

5. (intr; usually foll by on or upon)

   1. to get nearer (to) or catch up (on)

   2. to get farther away (from)

6. (tr) (esp of ships) to get to; reach

   the steamer gained port

7. (of a timepiece) to operate too fast, so as to indicate a time ahead of the true time or to run fast by a specified amount

   this watch gains

   it gains ten minutes a day

8. to make progress or obtain an advantage

9. 1. to obtain extra time by a delay or postponement

   2. (of a timepiece) to operate too fast

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noun

1. something won, acquired, earned, etc; profit; advantage

2. an increase in size, amount, etc

3. the act of gaining; attainment; acquisition

4. Also called: amplification.  electronics the ratio of the output signal of an amplifier to the input signal, usually measured in decibels

gain ² British  

/ ɡeɪn /

noun

1. a notch, mortise, or groove, esp one cut to take the flap of a butt hinge

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verb

1. (tr) to cut a gain or gains in

GAIN ³ British  

/ ɡeɪn /

acronym

1. Guaranteed Annual Income

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gain More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing gain

• ill-gotten gains
• no pain, no gain
• nothing ventured, nothing gained

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Related Words

Gain, attain, earn, win imply obtaining a reward or something advantageous. Gain carries the least suggestion of method or of effort expended: After battling the blizzard, we finally gained our destination. Attain emphasizes the reaching of a goal: to attain stardom. Earn emphasizes the exertions and labor expended that deserve reward: to earn a promotion. Win emphasizes attainment in spite of competition or opposition: to win support in a campaign.

Other Word Forms

• gainable adjective
• ungainable adjective

Etymology

Origin of gain¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English noun, from Middle French gain, contraction of Old French gaaing, noun derivative of ga(a)ignier “to till, earn, win,” from Germanic

Origin of gain²

First recorded in 1670–80; of unknown origin

Example Sentences

All three major indexes marked a weekly gain for the first time in six weeks.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Davis came across the “Breaking News” rapper after several of his singles started to gain traction on social media.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Deal makers gain advantage through strategies that don’t necessarily involve transparency and forthrightness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Retail sales for February showed a decent gain.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

“The cloud seemed to start up,” Bea remembered, as she watched it race toward them, seeming to gain speed.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

Related Words

• achieve
• advance
• attain
• benefit
• boost
• build up
• collect
• earn
• expand
• get
• grow
• have
• improve
• increase
• make
• obtain
• pick up
• produce
• promote
• reach