 |
| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Language: | French |
| Origin: | gagner, from Old French gaaignier 'to prepare the ground for growing crops, earn, gain' |
| |||||||||
gain1 S2 W2
1 to obtain or achieve something you want or need Radical left-wing parties gained control of local authorities. After gaining independence in 1957, it was renamed 'Ghana'.
get something
[transitive]Radical left-wing parties gained control of local authorities.After gaining independence in 1957, it was renamed 'Ghana'.2 to gradually get more and more of a quality, feeling etc, especially a useful or valuable one :
get gradually
[intransitive and transitive]3 to get an advantage from a situation, opportunity, or event an attempt to gain a competitive advantage over their rivals
advantage
[intransitive and transitive] gain (something) from (doing) something There is much to be gained from seeking expert advice early.
There is much to be gained from seeking expert advice early.an attempt to gain a competitive advantage over their rivals4 to increase in weight, speed, height, or value : The dollar has gained 8% against the yen.
increase
[transitive]The dollar has gained 8% against the yen.5 to manage to enter a place, building, or organization : New ramps will help the disabled gain better access. methods used by burglars to gain entry to houses
gain access/entry/admittance etc (to something)
New ramps will help the disabled gain better access.methods used by burglars to gain entry to houses6 to learn or find out about something
gain an understanding/insight/impression etc
gain an understanding/insight/impression etc of We are hoping to gain a better understanding of the underlying process. This enabled me to gain an overall impression of the school.
We are hoping to gain a better understanding of the underlying process.This enabled me to gain an overall impression of the school.7 to make steady progress and become more popular, more successful etc : The anti-smoking lobby has steadily gained ground in the last decade.
gain ground
The anti-smoking lobby has steadily gained ground in the last decade.9 if a clock or watch gains, or if it gains time, it goes too fast [≠ lose]
clock
[intransitive and transitive]TM10 to reach a place after a lot of effort or difficulty : The swimmer finally gained the river bank.
arrive
[transitive] literaryThe swimmer finally gained the river bank.➔ nothing ventured, nothing gained
at venture2 (3)gain on somebody/something
phrasal verbQuick - they're gaining on us!WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
gain, earn, get Do not use gain to mean 'get money for work you do'. Use earn • people earning less than £10,000 per year • How much does he earn?Gain means to get something useful or necessary, whether or not you deserve it • I have gained a lot of useful experience. • Her problems seem to have gained her more support from the public. Use earn rather than gain to say that you get something because you deserve it • Through hard work you will earn the respect of your colleagues.Get can be used as a less formal way of saying gain or earn • I get $20 an hour. • He has started to get a reputation for being awkward.
WORD CHOICE: gain, earn, get Do not use gain to mean 'get money for work you do'. Use earn • people earning less than £10,000 per year • How much does he earn?Gain means to get something useful or necessary, whether or not you deserve it • I have gained a lot of useful experience. • Her problems seem to have gained her more support from the public. Use earn rather than gain to say that you get something because you deserve it • Through hard work you will earn the respect of your colleagues.Get can be used as a less formal way of saying gain or earn • I get $20 an hour. • He has started to get a reputation for being awkward.
