bargain
/ˈbɑːɹɡən/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.95 in modern English
10
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
An agreement between parties concerning the sale of property; or a contract by which one party binds themself to transfer the right to some property for a consideration, and the other party binds themself to receive the property and pay the consideration.
noun
An agreement or stipulation; mutual pledge.
noun
An item purchased for significantly less than the usual, or recommended, price
noun
A gainful transaction; an advantageous purchase.
noun
Example Sentences
- "A contract is a bargain that is legally binding."
- "[…]And when your honors mean to solemnize The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you, Even at that time I may be married too."
- "to buy (something) at a bargain"
- "At that price, it’s not just a bargain, it’s a steal."
- "Thus the red damask curtains which now shut out the fog-laden, drizzling atmosphere of the Marylebone Road, had cost a mere song, and yet they might have been warranted to last another thirty years. A great bargain also had been the excellent Axminster carpet which covered the floor;[…]."
- "If he say so, may his pernicious soul Rot half a grain a day! He lies to th' heart. She was too fond of her most filthy bargain."
Etymology
From Middle English bargaynen (“to bargain, make a pledge for sale”), from Old French bargaigner (“to bargain”), from Frankish *borganjan (“to borrow, lend”), from Proto-Germanic *burgijaną (“to borrow, lend”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰergʰ- (“to protect, secure”). Akin to Old High German boragēn, borgēn (“to look after, care for”) (German borgen), Old English borgian (“to borrow, lend, pledge”). More at borrow. Compare French barguigner and Portuguese barganhar.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *bʰergʰ-, bargaynen, bargaigner, *borganjan, *burgijaną
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈbɑːɹɡən/
- British English: /ˈbɑːɡən/