Bargain

/ˈbɑːrɡən/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonObject
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase2 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A thing bought for less than the usual price.

/ˈbɑːrɡən/

nounpositiveBeginner
Object

Something offered or acquired at a lower price than usual.

I found a great bargain at the flea market.

💡 Simply: Something cheap.

More Examples

2

That car was a steal; a real bargain!

How It's Used

Shopping

"I got a real bargain on that coat."

Negotiation

"The deal was a good bargain for both sides."

2

To negotiate the terms of a transaction.

/ˈbɑːrɡən/

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To negotiate the price of something.

She bargained hard to get a better deal.

💡 Simply: To negotiate a price.

More Examples

2

We bargained for hours before agreeing on a price.

How It's Used

Sales

"I bargained with the vendor to get a lower price."

Negotiation

"They bargained for hours before reaching an agreement."

Tip:Imagine haggling at a market.

Idioms & expressions

Drive a hard bargain

To negotiate forcefully to get the best possible deal.

"She's known for driving a hard bargain."

From Old French *barguiner, from Frankish *barganōn, from Proto-Germanic *barganjan, meaning "to barter".

The word "bargain" has been used in English since the 14th century, primarily in the context of trade and negotiation.

Memory tip

Think of a pirate shouting "Ahoy, a bargain!"

Word Origin

LanguageProto-Germanic
Original meaning

"To barter or exchange goods"

Base: bargain
drive a hard bargainstrike a bargaina good bargain

Common misspellings

barginbargane

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written