gain

1. 1

   To acquire possession of.transitive

   • Looks like you’ve gained a new friend.
2. 2

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

   • The sick man gains daily.
3. 3

   To come off winner or victor in; to be successful in; to obtain by competition.datedtransitive

   • to gain a battle; to gain a case at law
4. 4

   To increase.transitive

   • Then they had bouts of wrestling and of cudgel play, so that every day they gained in skill and strength.
5. 5

   To grow more likely to catch or overtake someone.intransitiveoftenwith-on

   • to gain ground
   • I’m gaining (on you).
6. 6

   To reach.transitive

   • to gain the top of a mountain
7. 7

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

   • If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
   • to gratify the queen, and gain the court
8. 8

   To put on weight.intransitive

   • I’ve been gaining.
9. 9

   To run fast, often by a specified amount.ambitransitivedated

   • Don't rely on that clock: it gains.

ant. lose

1. 1

   The act of gaining; acquisition.countableuncountable

   • People are more willing to take a risk to avoid a loss than to make a gain.
2. 2

   The thing or things gained.countableuncountable

   • Everyone shall share in the gains.
3. 3

   The factor by which a signal is multiplied.countableuncountable

   • There follows the high and low-frequency replay equalization, which normally involves two adjustments with a further control allowing the replay gain to be set.

ant. loss

1. 1

   Against.obsolete

1. 1

   Straight, direct; near; short.dialectalobsolete

   • the gainest way
2. 2

   Suitable; convenient; ready.dialectalobsolete

3. 3

   Easy; tolerable; handy, dexterous.dialectal

4. 4

   Honest; respectable; moderate; cheap.dialectal

1. 1

   Straightly; quickly; by the nearest way or means.dialectalobsolete

2. 2

   Suitably; conveniently; dexterously; moderately.dialectal

3. 3

   Tolerably; fairly.dialectal

   • gain quiet

1. 1

   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.