Gain meaning

What does “gain” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“gain” is a noun and verb with 13 meanings. Its most common meaning is: a quantity that is added.

gain

noun

  1. a quantity that is added

    “there was an addition to property taxes this year”

    “they recorded the cattle's gain in weight over a period of weeks”

  2. the advantageous quality of being beneficial

    Synonymsprofit
  3. the amount of increase in signal power or voltage or current expressed as the ratio of output to input

  4. the amount by which the revenue of a business exceeds its cost of operating

    Oppositesloss

verb

  1. obtain

    “derive pleasure from one's garden”

    Synonymsderive
  2. win something through one's efforts

    “I acquired a passing knowledge of Chinese”

    “Gain an understanding of international finance”

    Synonymsacquirewin
  3. derive a benefit from

    “She profited from his vast experience”

  4. reach a destination, either real or abstract

    “We hit Detroit by noon”

    “The water reached the doorstep”

  5. obtain advantages, such as points, etc.

    “The home team was gaining ground”

    “After defeating the Knicks, the Blazers pulled ahead of the Lakers in the battle for the number-one playoff berth in the Western Conference”

    Oppositesfall back
  6. rise in rate or price

    “The stock market gained 24 points today”

    Synonymsadvance
  7. increase or develop

    “the peace movement gained momentum”

    “the car gathers speed”

    Synonymsgather
  8. earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages

    “How much do you make a month in your new job?”

    “She earns a lot in her new job”

  9. increase (one's body weight)

    “She gained 20 pounds when she stopped exercising”

    Synonymsput on
    Oppositesreduce

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University