Definition of "gain" in English

verb

1. (transitive) To acquire possession of.

   • Looks like you’ve gained a new friend.

2. (intransitive) To have or receive advantage or profit; to acquire gain; to grow rich; to advance in interest, health, or happiness; to make progress.

   • The sick man gains daily.

3. (transitive, dated) To come off winner or victor in; to be successful in; to obtain by competition.

   • to gain a battle; to gain a case at law

4. (transitive) To increase.

5. (intransitive, often with on) To grow more likely to catch or overtake someone.

   • to gain ground
   • I’m gaining (on you).

6. (transitive) To reach.

   • to gain the top of a mountain

7. To draw into any interest or party; to win to one’s side; to conciliate.

8. (intransitive) To put on weight.

   • I’ve been gaining.

9. (of a clock or watch) To run fast.

noun

1. The act of gaining; acquisition.

2. The thing or things gained.

3. (electronics) The factor by which a signal is multiplied.

preposition

1. (obsolete) Against.

adjective

1. (obsolete or dialectal) Straight, direct; near; short.

   • the gainest way

2. (obsolete or dialectal) Suitable; convenient; ready.

3. (dialectal) Easy; tolerable; handy, dexterous.

4. (dialectal) Honest; respectable; moderate; cheap.

adverb

1. (obsolete or dialectal) Straightly; quickly; by the nearest way or means.

2. (dialectal) Suitably; conveniently; dexterously; moderately.

3. (dialectal) Tolerably; fairly.

   • gain quiet

noun

1. (architecture) A square or bevelled notch cut out of a girder, binding joist, or other timber which supports a floor beam, so as to receive the end of the floor beam.