gain

1.nounB1

Definition

something useful, desirable, or profitable that you get, often as a result of effort, hard work, or a good decision.

Example

The main gain from volunteering at the shelter was the joy of helping abandoned pets.

gain from + noun phrase for benefit

Investors who bought early saw substantial gains when the company went public.

substantial gains — common collocation

Common collocations

substantial gain
significant gain
net gain
gain in confidence
financial gain
personal gain

Synonyms

profit
more specific to money; gain can be any benefit
benefit
broader; gain often implies measurable improvement
advantage
focuses on a superior position; gain focuses on what is acquired

Antonyms

loss
direct opposite in financial and general contexts

Grammar Patterns

gain + noun

gain in + noun

Usage Note

Often used in financial or business contexts, but also describes any positive outcome from effort. 'Gains' (plural) is very common when referring to profits or improvements.

Common Mistakes

I made a big gain of money.

I made a big gain in profits.

'gain' is not normally used with 'of money'; use 'gain in + noun' or 'profit' instead.

2.nounB1

Definition

a rise in the amount, size, weight, or level of something, measured over time or compared to a previous state.

Example

Sayaka noticed a steady weight gain of two kilograms after she stopped running daily.

weight gain — common fixed phrase

The quarterly report showed a healthy gain of 12 percent in online sales across Asia.

gain of + percentage — common in business

Common collocations

weight gain
price gain
gain in temperature
a gain of 10%
steady gain
sharp gain

Synonyms

rise
more neutral; gain implies a net positive outcome
increase
more general; gain often implies gradual accumulation
growth
suggests development over time; gain can be a single measured change

Antonyms

loss
direct opposite: weight loss vs weight gain
drop
used for prices, temperature, or levels

Grammar Patterns

gain + in + noun

gain + of + number

Usage Note

Commonly used with measurements: weight gain, price gain, temperature gain. When specifying a number, use 'gain of' (a gain of 5 points). When specifying an area, use 'gain in' (a gain in height).

Common Mistakes

There was a gain 10 percent.

There was a gain of 10 percent.

always use 'of' before the number or percentage.

1.verbtransitiveB1

Definition

to get or achieve something useful, desirable, or positive — such as a skill, quality, opportunity, or advantage — often through effort, experience, or a process over time.

Example

Asher gained valuable experience working as a research assistant at the university laboratory.

gain + experience — most common collocation

The charity gained the support of over two thousand local residents within a single week.

gain + support of + group

Common collocations

gain experience
gain knowledge
gain support
gain access
gain confidence
gain an advantage
gain entry

Synonyms

obtain
more formal; gain suggests effort or gradual acquisition
acquire
similar formality; gain is more natural in everyday speech
earn
implies deserved reward; gain is broader
win
suggests competition; gain can be through cooperation

Antonyms

lose
direct opposite: gain support vs lose support

Grammar Patterns

gain + noun phrase

gain + noun + from + noun

Usage Note

Unlike 'get' or 'obtain', 'gain' often suggests that the thing acquired builds up gradually or is the result of a meaningful effort. Common objects: experience, knowledge, support, access, entry, confidence, approval.

Common Mistakes

I gained a new phone from the store.

I bought a new phone from the store.

'gain' is not used for simple purchases; use it for advantages, skills, or qualities.

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1

Definition

to reach a higher level or amount of something measurable, such as weight, speed, height, value, or strength — or for a measuring instrument to show a higher number.

Example

The delivery truck gained speed as it went down the long hill toward the highway.

gain speed — very common collocation

Yasmin gained five kilograms during the first year of her recovery from the surgery.

gain + weight amount — intransitive use with object

Common collocations

gain weight
gain speed
gain momentum
gain in value
gain strength
gain ground

Synonyms

increase
more neutral; gain is more natural with specific measurements
rise
intransitive only; gain can be transitive
put on
informal, used mainly for weight; gain is broader

Antonyms

lose
direct opposite: gain weight vs lose weight
drop
used for prices, speed, or levels

Grammar Patterns

gain + noun (amount)

gain + number + noun (unit)

noun + gains (intransitive) + in + noun

Usage Note

Can be transitive (gain weight, gain speed) or intransitive (the dollar gained against the euro). When used intransitively with a specific area, use 'gain in' (gain in value, gain in popularity).

Common Mistakes

I gained 5 kgs weight.

I gained 5 kg.' or ✅ 'I gained 5 kg in weight.

do not repeat 'weight' after the number; specify the unit directly or use 'gain in weight'.

3.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2

Definition

A timepiece that runs faster than normal is said to gain — the displayed time moves gradually ahead of the correct time.

Example

My wristwatch gains about three minutes a week, so I reset it every Monday morning.

gain + time amount — transitive use specifying duration

The grandfather clock in the hallway gains an hour each month and needs regular adjustment.

Common collocations

gain time
gain minutes
gain seconds
gain an hour
clock gains

Synonyms

run fast
more general; 'gain' is the precise term for clocks
be fast
informal; 'gain' is more technical

Antonyms

lose
opposite: a slow clock loses time
run slow
descriptive opposite

Grammar Patterns

clock/watch gains

clock/watch gains + number + minutes/seconds

Usage Note

Used specifically for timekeeping devices. The opposite is 'lose' (a clock that runs too slowly loses time). Can be used both with and without a specific time amount.

Common Mistakes

My clock gains fast.

My clock gains five minutes a day.

specify the amount of time gained, or use 'gains time' without 'fast'.

Phrasal verbs

gain in

phrasal verb

To increase or improve in a particular quality or aspect.

The athlete gained in confidence after each race.

Has the team gained in strength since last season?

gain on

phrasal verb

To get closer to someone or something that is ahead of you.

The blue car is gaining on the red one.

We need to run faster; they are gaining on us.

Idioms

gain ground

idiom

To become more powerful or successful in a situation.

Our company is gaining ground in the Asian market.

Did the new policy gain ground among voters?

gain time

idiom

To delay something in order to have more time to decide or solve a problem.

The lawyer asked for a break to gain time.

Mia pretended to be sick to gain time for her project.

nothing ventured, nothing gained

idiom

You must take risks in order to achieve success.

He decided to start his own business, knowing nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Remember, nothing ventured, nothing gained, so apply for that job.

Word family

gains
noun (plural)B2
gainful
adjectiveC1
gainfully
adverbC1
gainer
nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

These verbs all describe getting something, but they differ in how the thing is gotten. 'Gain' is the broadest of the five — it works for skills (gain experience), support (gain approval), or gradual improvements (gain confidence). 'Obtain' is more formal and suggests a deliberate effort to get something specific, often through a process (obtain a permit, obtain a copy). 'Acquire' is similar to obtain but often implies the thing becomes part of what you have permanently (acquire a habit, acquire land). 'Earn' always implies that the result is deserved because of work or merit (earn respect, earn a salary). 'Win' suggests competition or overcoming others (win a prize, win support from voters). For everyday learning contexts, 'gain' is the most natural choice: you gain experience, gain knowledge, and gain an advantage.

gain ↗obtain ↗acquire ↗earn ↗win ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

gain ground
gain time
gain the upper hand
gain a foothold

Prepositions

Etymology

GermanicOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'gain' entered English around the 1400s from Old French 'gaignier', meaning 'to earn, to profit, to cultivate'. The French word came from a Germanic root *waidanjan, which originally meant 'to hunt, to forage for food'. Over centuries, the meaning broadened from hunting for survival to acquiring any useful thing through effort.

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gain

gain — noun

1. something useful, desirable, or profitable that you get, often as a result of ef

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. a rise in the amount, size, weight, or level of something, measured over time or

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

gain — verb

1. to get or achieve something useful, desirable, or positive — such as a skill, qu

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. to reach a higher level or amount of something measurable, such as weight, speed

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. A timepiece that runs faster than normal is said to gain — the displayed time mo

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

gain in

gain on

gain ground

gain time

nothing ventured, nothing gained

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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