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gain

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verb American English pronunciation: gain /ɡeɪn/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theygain
he/she/itgains
present participlegaining
past tensegained
past participlegained
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [transitive] to get or achieve something, usually as a result of a lot of effort

    Extremist political parties gained 11% of the vote.

    Bolivia gained independence from Spain in 1825.

    In her final exam she gained a B grade.

    gain access/admittance/entry to something:

    He gained entry to the building by showing a fake pass.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of gain
    1. a.
      [intransitive/transitive] to get more of something, usually as a result of a gradual process

      Her theories have only recently gained acceptance.

      gain something from/by (doing) something:

      She hopes to gain experience by working abroad for a year.

      gain in:

      The property has gained steadily in value since they bought it.

      gain weight:

      I've gained a lot of weight this winter.

      gain speed/momentum:

      The toboggan sped down the hill, gaining momentum.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of gain
  2. 2
    [intransitive/transitive] to get a benefit or advantage for yourself
    gain something from (doing) something:

    There is a lot to be gained from schools working together.

    there is nothing to be gained from/by doing something:

    We should act immediately. There is nothing to be gained from waiting.

    gain from:

    Whether you succeed or fail, you will undoubtedly gain from the experience.

    stand to gain (=be likely to get money or other benefits):

    When the business is sold, all the brothers stand to gain.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of gain
  3. 3
    [intransitive/transitive] if a share of stock or the stock market gains its value increases

    The NASDAQ gained 45 points.

    IBM shares gained overnight.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of gain
  4. 4
    [intransitive/transitive] if a clock gains, it operates too fast so that the time it shows is later than the actual time

    The clock on my computer gains a minute every day.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of gain
  5. 5
    [transitive] mainly literary to arrive at a place, especially one that is difficult to reach

    They finally gained the summit.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of gain

phrasal verbs

This is the American English definition of gain. View British English definition of gain.

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View the pronunciation for gain.

 

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