bargain

UK /ˈbɑː.ɡɪn/ US /ˈbɑːr.ɡən/ Syllables: bar-gain

Pronunciation

Noun A1 Beginner Neutral

Something bought for a lower price than it's usually worth, or an agreement between two people.

A bargain is something that you buy for a lower price than it is normally worth. A coat that costs half its usual price is a bargain, and so is a good meal for little money. The word can also mean an agreement between two people about what each will do: they made a bargain to share the cost. As a verb, to bargain means to talk about a price or terms to reach a deal, as people do in a market. A bargain hunter looks for goods at low prices.

"At half price, the coat was a real bargain."

Meanings

Something bought for a lower price than it is usually worth.
An agreement between two people or groups.

Example sentences

"This jacket was a real bargain at twenty dollars."

Level A2, Meaning 1
"They struck a bargain over the price of the car."

Level B2, Meaning 2
"I love hunting for bargains at the market."

Level A2, Meaning 1
"He drove a hard bargain."

Level C1, Meaning 2

Synonyms and antonyms

Synonyms

deal steal

Look-alikes and common mistakes

discount : A discount is the amount taken off a price. A bargain is the good deal you get.
deal : Deal is the general word for any agreement or sale. A bargain is a deal that is especially good.

Word family and forms

Forms: bargains

bargain hunter bargaining bargain basement

Word partners

Words and phrases that often go with "bargain".

a real bargain
a good bargain
strike a bargain
a bargain price
drive a hard bargain
into the bargain

Idioms and phrases

drive a hard bargain: To insist on getting very good terms.; "My landlord drove a hard bargain on the rent."
into the bargain: As well, in addition.; "She was kind, and clever into the bargain."

Origin

Bargain came into English in the 1300s from Old French bargaigner, which meant to haggle. It probably came from a Frankish word, borganjan, to borrow or lend, which is related to words in German about borrowing. The first meaning was an agreement.

Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Dictionary.com.

Usage notes

Also works as a verb meaning to negotiate over price, as in "bargain for a lower rate."

How to remember it

Bargain has gain at the end. A bargain is a way to gain something at a good price.

Test yourself

Which word fits the gap? "This jacket was a real _____ at twenty dollars."

Answer: bargain

In your own words, what does "bargain" mean?