/ geɪn; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
OBTAIN / WIN
1.
to obtain or win sth, especially sth that you need or want :
[ vn ]
to gain entrance / entry / access to sth
The country gained its independence ten years ago.
The party gained over 50% of the vote.
[ vnn ]
Her unusual talent gained her worldwide recognition.
2.
gain (sth) (by / from sth) to obtain an advantage or benefit from sth or from doing sth :
[ vn ]
There is nothing to be gained from delaying the decision.
[ v ]
Who stands to gain from this decision?
GET MORE
3.
[ vn ] to gradually get more of sth :
to gain confidence / strength / experience
I've gained weight recently.
OPP lose
OF WATCH / CLOCK
4.
to go too fast :
[ vn ]
My watch gains two minutes every 24 hours.
[also v ]
OPP lose
OF CURRENCIES / SHARES
5.
gain (against sth) to increase in value :
[ vn ]
The shares gained 14p to 262p.
[ v ]
The euro gained against the dollar again today.
REACH PLACE
6.
[ vn ] ( formal ) to reach a place, usually after a lot of effort :
At last she gained the shelter of the forest.
•
IDIOMS
- gain ground
- gain time
—more at venture verb
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- gain in sth
- gain on sb/sth
■ noun
INCREASE
1.
[ C , U ] an increase in the amount of sth, especially in wealth or weight :
a £3 000 gain from our investment
Regular exercise helps prevent weight gain.
ADVANTAGE
2.
[ C ] an advantage or improvement :
efficiency gains
These policies have resulted in great gains in public health.
Our loss is their gain.
OPP loss
PROFIT
3.
[ U ] (often disapproving ) financial profit :
He only seems to be interested in personal gain.
It's amazing what some people will do for gain .
•
IDIOMS
see pain noun
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 15th cent. (as a noun, originally in the sense booty ): from Old French gaigne (noun), gaignier (verb), of Germanic origin.