gain

To get something useful or wanted.

• You can gain experience here.
• She gained confidence after a few lessons.
• What have we gained from this discussion?

How to use it: gain something from something (He gained useful skills from the course.)

Similar words: get, acquire, obtain

Opposites: lose

Common phrases: gain experience, gain confidence, gain support, gain a friend

To benefit, improve, or make progress.

• Everyone gains from better public transport.
• The patient is gaining steadily after surgery.
• Small businesses gained financially from the festival.

How to use it: gain from something (Both sides gained from the agreement.); gain by doing something (You gain by sharing ideas with others.)

Similar words: benefit, improve, profit

Common phrases: gain from something, gain financially, gain by something

Something useful or valuable that you get, especially money earned from an investment.

• He sold the shares for a gain.
• The project brought little financial gain.
• Our gains were greater than we expected.

Similar words: profit, benefit

Opposites: loss

Common phrases: financial gain, capital gain, personal gain

The act of getting something you did not have before.

• The gain of territory strengthened the kingdom.
• The course produced a measurable gain in knowledge.
• Her gain of control changed the company’s direction.

How to use it: gain of something (The gain of new territory increased the country’s resources.)

Similar words: acquisition

Opposites: loss

Common phrases: gain of something, gain in knowledge, gain of control

The amount by which a device increases the strength of an electronic signal.

• Turn down the gain on the microphone.
• This amplifier has a gain of ten.
• Too much gain can distort the sound.

Similar words: amplification

Common phrases: adjust the gain, high gain, amplifier gain