verb / noun

gain

GAYN/ɡeɪn/

To acquire more of something wanted.

The woman gains more coins as they drop into her open palm.

A woman receives several coins into her open palm beside a small pile she already has, making obtaining more money and increasing her total visibly concrete.

Etymology

The Old French verb covered both cultivating land and earning or winning. English gain broadened from obtaining profit to obtaining through effort, increasing, or making progress.

In context

Enhanced Public Domain152:42

I served as corrector of the press to gain the money necessary for my return to Holland on foot

1700s Satire Audiobook: Voltaire - Candide

More examples

The proposal gains support from local business owners.
She gained valuable experience during her summer job.
Small gains in efficiency help the factory reduce costs.

Forms

gain · gains · gained · gaining

gainful adjective — Providing income or other financial benefits.

Similar words

earn: Emphasizes receiving something deserved through work, effort, or behavior.
acquire: Emphasizes obtaining something, without necessarily increasing an existing amount.
increase: Emphasizes growth in amount, whether wanted or unwanted.