bargain

American  

[bahr-guhn] / ˈbɑr gən /

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.

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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. bargain on to expect or anticipate; count or rely on.

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

2. bargain for to anticipate or take into account.

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

idioms

1. 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.

2. 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.

bargain British  

/ 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. in excess of what has been stipulated; besides

5. to agree on terms

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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)

bargain More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing bargain

• drive a bargain
• into the bargain
• make the best of it (a bad bargain)
• more than one bargained for
• strike a bargain

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Related Words

See agreement. See trade.

Other Word Forms

• bargainable adjective
• bargainer noun
• bargaining noun
• outbargain verb (used with object)
• prebargain verb (used with object)
• probargaining adjective
• unbargained adjective

Etymology

Origin of bargain

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

Example Sentences

Investors looking for bargains across the technology sector have a number of places to look, according to a new report from UBS.

From MarketWatch

And at a mere $68.99, it’s a real bargain too ... at least for people planning on attending enough Dodgers games to make the season-long free refills worth the cost.

From Los Angeles Times

“Hard bargain,” my dad said, just as we heard Uncle Max pulling in.

From Literature

Ackman might be right about the bargains on offer, but right now this isn’t a market in a mood to listen.

From Barron's

Grocery Outlet’s opportunistic sourcing model has cultivated a devoted fan base of TikTok bargain hunters.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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