an advantageous purchase, especially one acquired at less than the usual cost: The sale offered bargains galore.
an agreement between parties settling what each shall give and take or perform and receive in a transaction.
such an agreement as affecting one of the parties: a losing bargain.
something acquired by bargaining.
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)
to discuss the terms of a bargain; haggle; negotiate.
to come to an agreement; make a bargain: We bargained on a three-year term.
verb (used with object)
to arrange by bargain; negotiate: to bargain a new wage increase.
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 Phrases
bargain for,to anticipate or take into account: The job turned out to be more than he had bargained for.
bargain on,to expect or anticipate; count or rely on: You can't bargain on what she'll do in this situation.
Idioms for bargain
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.
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.
Origin of bargain
1300–50; (v.) Middle English bargaynen<Anglo-French, Old French bargai(g)ner, probably <Frankish *borganjan, extended form of Germanic *borgan (compare Old High German bor(a)gēn to look after, Middle High German, German borgen to lend, borrow); (noun) Middle English bargayn<Anglo-French, Old French bargai(g)ne, bargain, noun derivative of the v.; o>a in 1st syllable is unexplained
SYNONYMS FOR bargain
2 stipulation, arrangement, transaction.
7 contract, covenant.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR bargain ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for bargain
2. See agreement. 6. See trade.
OTHER WORDS FROM bargain
bar·gain·a·ble,adjectivebar·gain·er,nounoutbargain,verb (used with object)pre·bar·gain,verb (used with object)
pro·bar·gain·ing,adjectiveun·bar·gained,adjective
Words nearby bargain
baresthesiometer, bar examination, barf, barf bag, barfly, bargain, bargain away, bargain basement, bargain bin, bargain counter, bargain for
Of course, some of those bargains have proven controversial.
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After all, just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it’s a bargain.
12 value stocks to buy right now—and 3 to avoid—according to Bank of America|Anne Sraders|August 25, 2020|Fortune
Over the past 13 years, the glamour category has been handily beating unlovely value, the longest period in history for which what’s supposed to be the market’s bargain basement has lagged.
The champ’s big comeback: Why beaten-down value stocks are poised to thrive|Shawn Tully|August 18, 2020|Fortune
In less-expensive cities, these prices aren’t such a bargain, and in many places they’d be considered downright outrageous.
These Sleek Houses Are 3D Printed, and They Fit in Your Backyard|Vanessa Bates Ramirez|August 13, 2020|Singularity Hub
Livio’s account of this well-known story is enhanced by insights drawn from more recent scholarship, including the discovery in 1998 of a letter written during the trial suggesting that a plea bargain might have been considered.
A new Galileo biography draws parallels to today’s science denialism|Tom Siegfried|August 11, 2020|Science News
Well, because conservatives often get more than they bargain for.
In Florida, ’Tis The Season for Satan|Jay Michaelson|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And Andorra is a tax haven with bargain luxury goods shopping and great ski slopes.
Up to a Point: Thanks to the Biggest Turkey, Uncle Sam|P. J. O’Rourke|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We are being conditioned to believe that in exchange for a bargain, we just have no right to expect comfort in return.
Flying Coach Is the New Hell: How Airlines Engineer You Out of Room|Clive Irving|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The two dealers tried to bargain with Paul: he could take back 80 percent of his paintings, leaving the rest.
My Grandfather's War: Recovering the Art the Nazis Stole|Anne Sinclair|October 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead, he was bargain hunting, trawling eBay for Picassos, Moreaus, and Dalis.
Why eBay Is an Art Forger’s Paradise|Lizzie Crocker|August 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He believes that when the Bishop sees himself about to lose the estate, he too will show himself ready for a bargain.
Selections from the Poems and Plays of Robert Browning|Robert Browning
But it chances that I can have a word to say about the bargain, too.
Marietta|F. Marion Crawford
Gazebee had got a bargain of the dinner-table and sideboard.
The Small House at Allington|Anthony Trollope
Then I offered you a bargain—and I see now that you despised me as a huckster!
Elizabeth's Campaign|Mrs. Humphrey Ward
If you come in about four, I'll give you a cup of tea into the bargain.
The Card, A Story Of Adventure In The Five Towns|Arnold Bennett
British Dictionary definitions for bargain
bargain
/ (ˈbɑːɡɪn) /
noun
an agreement or contract establishing what each party will give, receive, or perform in a transaction between them
something acquired or received in such an agreement
US
something bought or offered at a low pricea bargain at an auction
(as modifier)a bargain price
into the bargainorUSin the bargainin excess of what has been stipulated; besides
make a bargainorstrike a bargainto agree on terms
verb
(intr)to negotiate the terms of an agreement, transaction, etc
(tr)to exchange, as in a bargain
to arrive at (an agreement or settlement)
Derived forms of bargain
bargainer, nounbargaining, noun, adjective
Word Origin for bargain
C14: from Old French bargaigne, from bargaignier to trade, of Germanic origin; compare Medieval Latin barcāniāre to trade, Old English borgian to borrow