26984 words

gain

17 definitions • 36 examples
1
to get something that is useful, that gives you an advantage, or that is in some way positive, especially over a period of time:

Examples:

The mayor has gained a lot of support from the teacher's union.
gain something from something What do you hope to gain from the course?
Alternative medicine has only just started to gain respectability in our society.
[ + two objects ] It was her performances in Aida that gained her an international reputation as a soprano.
After you've gained some experience teaching abroad, you can come home and get a job.
From the late 19th century, European powers began to gain control of parts of the Ottoman Empire.
gain in UK She's certainly gained in confidence over the last couple of years.
The data exists all right - the difficulty is in gaining access to it.
The thieves gained entrance through an upstairs window that was left open.
2

Examples:

I gained a lot of weight while I was on holiday.
The car gained speed going down the hill.
gain by UK Good economic indicators caused the share index to gain by ten points.
The campaign has been gaining momentum over the past few weeks.
3
If a clock or watch gains, it works too quickly and shows a time that is later than the real time:

Examples:

gain by My watch has gained by ten minutes over the last 24 hours.
4
an occasion when you get something useful or positive:

Examples:

Whatever the objections to this sort of treatment, the gains in terms of the number of lives saved are substantial.
personal gain The minister was sacked for abusing power for his personal gain.
5
an increase in something such as size, weight, or amount:

Examples:

Side effects of the drugs may include tiredness, headaches, or weight gain.
After deducting costs, we still made a net gain of £5,000.
Oil prices rose again today after yesterday's gains.
6
to obtain something useful, advantageous, or positive:

Examples:

He gained control of the business.
You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.
He hoped to gain an advantage by beginning his campaign early.
7

Examples:

[ T ] I’ve gained weight, and I’m going on a diet.
[ T ] The campaign has been gaining momentum ever since the television ads started to run.
[ I ] Step on the gas – they’re gaining on us (= getting nearer to us).
8
If a clock or watch gains or gains time, it works too quickly and shows a time that is later than the real time.
9
an increase in size, weight, amount, etc.:

Examples:

Having deducted costs we still made a net gain of five thousand pounds.
Stocks ended the day with a moderate gain.
10
something useful or good that you get for yourself:

Examples:

He was fired for abusing his position for his own personal gain.
11
to increase in amount or value:

Examples:

On Wall Street today, the Dow Jones Industrials gained more than 52 points.
12
to get something that is important or gives you an advantage, especially over a period of time:

Examples:

Most temporary employees say they gained new abilities through their assignments.
13
to be allowed to use or receive something:

Examples:

Every day, more citizens gain access to the Web and each other.
14
to be able to sell a product in a particular place for the first time:

Examples:

He is willing to invest millions of dollars in cooperative ventures in China if he can gain access to the market.
15

Examples:

16
to become more popular or successful:

Examples:

gain ground on sb/sth After three decades the carmaker is actually gaining ground on the competition.
Even as companies in the US are gaining ground overseas, they are also sending more American-made products abroad.
17
to increase in value:

Examples:

gain ground against sth The dollar has been gaining ground against the yen in overseas trading.

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