retain

You continue to have something or keep it under your control.

• You may retain a copy.
• The team retained its title last year.
• She finds it hard to retain new information.

Similar words: keep, hold on to

Opposites: lose

Common phrases: retain control, retain information, retain something

Something holds a substance, heat, or another thing inside and prevents it from escaping.

• This coat retains heat well.
• The soil retained moisture after the rain.
• Some people retain fluid in their legs.

Similar words: hold, hold in

Opposites: release

Common phrases: retain water, retain heat, retain moisture

You continue to employ someone or support someone who serves you.

• We hope to retain all our staff.
• The firm retained its most experienced engineers.
• The lord retained several servants throughout the winter.

Similar words: keep on, continue employing

Opposites: dismiss

Common phrases: retain skilled staff, retain employees, retain someone

You arrange to pay a professional to do work for you.

• They retained a lawyer.
• The company retained a consultant to review its finances.
• Have you retained legal counsel yet?

How to use it: retain someone to do something (We retained an architect to design the house.)

Similar words: hire, engage

Common phrases: retain a lawyer, retain legal counsel, retain someone