to get (something desired), especially as a result of one's efforts: to gain possession of an object; to gain permission to enter a country.
to acquire as an increase or addition: to gain weight; to gain speed.
to obtain as a profit: He gained ten dollars by this deal.
to win; get in competition: to gain the prize.
to win (someone) to one's own side or point of view; persuade (sometimes followed by over): to gain supporters.
(of a watch or clock) to run fast by (a specified amount): My watch gains six minutes a day.
to reach, especially by effort; get to; arrive at: to gain one's destination.
verb (used without object)
to improve; make progress; advance: to gain in health after an illness.
to get nearer, as in pursuit (usually followed by on or upon): Our horse was gaining on the favorite at the far turn.
to draw away from or farther ahead of the other contestants in a race, one's pursuers, etc. (usually followed by on or upon).
(of a watch or clock) to run fast.
noun
profit or advantage.
an increase or advance.
gains,profits or winnings.
the act of gaining; acquisition.
Electronics.
a measure of the increase in signal amplitude produced by an amplifier, expressed as the ratio of output to input.
the effectiveness of a directional antenna as compared with a standard, nondirectional one.
the volume control of a radio, phonograph, amplifier, etc.
Idioms for gain
gain ground, to progress or advance, as in value, strength, or achievement: The company's new products are gaining ground in suburban areas.
gain time, to arrange a postponement or delay for a particular purpose, especially by roundabout means.
Origin of gain
1
1425–75; late Middle English (noun), from Middle French, contraction of Old French gaaing, noun derivative of gaaignier “to till, earn, win,” from Germanic; compare Old High German weidanōn “to hunt, forage for food”
SYNONYMS FOR gain
1 procure.
7 attain.
13 addition, increment, acquisition.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR gain ON THESAURUS.COM
ANTONYMS FOR gain
2, 4-6 lose.
SEE ANTONYMS FOR gain ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for gain
1. 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.
What does the DPRK stand to gain for releasing two more captured Americans at this moment?
Why North Korea Released Two Americans|Gordon G. Chang|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now, I defy the most able Englishman to go to Switzerland and either to gain that income, or to spend it there.
The Old Showmen and the Old London Fairs|Thomas Frost
It is very simple: Texas, wearied with the incessantly renewed exactions of Mexico, has revolted to gain its liberty.
The White Scalper|Gustave Aimard
But one enormous indirect benefit we will gain if we can make Germany a peaceful and harmless State.
The German War|Arthur Conan Doyle
He had everything to gain by saving it as a basis of operations for his army.
The Thirty Years' War|Samuel Rawson Gardiner
Wang Yang-ming failed to gain acceptance for his philosophy.
A history of China., [3d ed. rev. and enl.]|Wolfram Eberhard
British Dictionary definitions for gain (1 of 3)
gain1
/ (ɡeɪn) /
verb
(tr)to acquire (something desirable); obtain
(tr)to win in competitionto gain the victory
to increase, improve, or advancethe car gained speed; the shares gained in value
(tr)to earn (a wage, living, etc)
(intr; usually foll by on or upon)
to get nearer (to) or catch up (on)
to get farther away (from)
(tr)(esp of ships) to get to; reachthe steamer gained port
(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 amountthis watch gains; it gains ten minutes a day
gain groundto make progress or obtain an advantage