gain
verb OPAL WOPAL S
/ɡeɪn/
/ɡeɪn/
Verb Forms
Idioms Phrasal Verbs| present simple I / you / we / they gain | /ɡeɪn/ /ɡeɪn/ |
| he / she / it gains | /ɡeɪnz/ /ɡeɪnz/ |
| past simple gained | /ɡeɪnd/ /ɡeɪnd/ |
| past participle gained | /ɡeɪnd/ /ɡeɪnd/ |
| -ing form gaining | /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/ /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/ |
- [transitive] to obtain or win something, especially something that you need or want
- gain something They managed to gain access to secret files.
- How did the thieves gain entry?
- The country gained its independence ten years ago.
- The party gained over 50 per cent of the vote.
- Police officers quickly gained control of the situation.
- Labour finally gained power in 1997.
- I gained an insight into the work of a journalist.
- He has gained a reputation for unpredictable behaviour.
- gain somebody something Her unusual talent gained her worldwide recognition.
Extra Examples- We managed to gain entry through a back window.
- Protesters tried to gain access to the palace.
- His ideas gradually gained acceptance.
- Husbands and wives of British nationals do not automatically gain citizenship.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- quickly
- rapidly
- gradually
- …
- stand to
- expect to
- hope to
- …
- from
- have everything, little, a lot, nothing, etc. to gain
- have everything, little, a lot, nothing, etc. to be gained
- [transitive, intransitive] to obtain an advantage or benefit from something or from doing something
- gain something The firm is hoping to gain an advantage over its competitors.
- gain something by/from something What do you hope to gain by this?
- gain something by/from doing something There is nothing to be gained from delaying the decision.
- gain (by/from something) Consumers have gained from the increased competition.
- If the proposal goes ahead, we all stand to gain.
Extra Examples- I don't think there's anything to be gained from this course of action.
- Consumers have certainly gained from the increased competition in the telecommunications industry.
- The industry will gain enormously from the new proposals.
- We all gained a lot from the experience.
- Why not give it a go? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- quickly
- rapidly
- gradually
- …
- stand to
- expect to
- hope to
- …
- from
- have everything, little, a lot, nothing, etc. to gain
- have everything, little, a lot, nothing, etc. to be gained
- [transitive] gain something to gradually get more of something
- As you gain experience, you will grow in confidence.
- I've gained weight recently.
- The campaign continues to gain momentum.
- to gain understanding/knowledge
- He has gained support from major figures in the industry.
- to gain popularity/acceptance
Extra Examples- She has gained confidence since the World Championships.
- The economic recovery will soon gain traction.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- quickly
- rapidly
- gradually
- …
- stand to
- expect to
- hope to
- …
- from
- have everything, little, a lot, nothing, etc. to gain
- have everything, little, a lot, nothing, etc. to be gained
opposite lose - [transitive, intransitive] gain (something) to go too fast (by a particular amount of time)
- My watch gains two minutes every 24 hours.
- [transitive, intransitive] to increase in value
- gain something The shares gained 14p to 262p.
- gain against something The euro gained against the dollar again today.
- [transitive] gain something (formal) to reach a place, usually after a lot of effort
- At last she gained the shelter of the forest.
- Heavy fighting began as they gained the river.
obtain/win
get more
of watch/clock
of currencies/shares
reach place
Word Originlate 15th cent. (as a noun, originally in the sense ‘booty’): from Old French gaigne (noun), gaignier (verb), of Germanic origin.
Idioms
gain ground
- to become more powerful or successful
- Sterling continues to gain ground against the dollar.
gain time
- to delay something so that you can have more time to make a decision, deal with a problem, etc.
nothing ventured, nothing gained
- (saying) used to say that you have to take risks if you want to achieve things and be successfulTopics Dangerc2