bargain
bargain
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "bargain" is /ˈbɑːrɡɪn/.
Bar-: /bɑːr/
/b/ - voiced bilabial plosive
/ɑː/ - open back unrounded vowel (long 'a' sound)
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant
-gain: /ɡɪn/
/ɡ/ - voiced velar plosive
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel (short 'i' sound)
/n/ - voiced alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: bargain
Plural: bargains
Verb:
Base form: bargain
Third-person singular present: bargains
Present participle: bargaining
Past tense: bargained
Past participle: bargained
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: An agreement reached between parties concerning the exchange of goods, services, or promises, often involving negotiation of price or terms. It implies a mutual understanding and acceptance of the conditions.
Synonyms: agreement, deal, negotiation, contract, accord, understanding
Antonyms: disagreement, dispute, contention, deadlock
Definition: Something purchased or offered for sale at a price lower than its usual or true value, making it particularly attractive to a buyer.
Synonyms: steal, discount, good buy, markdown, clearance, deal
Antonyms: rip-off, overcharge, extravagance, splurge
Verb
Definition: To negotiate the terms and price of a transaction, typically with the aim of reaching a favorable agreement for oneself. This often involves back-and-forth discussion and compromise.
Synonyms: negotiate, haggle, dicker, wrangle, treat, parley
Antonyms: concede, yield, surrender, give in, agree (without discussion)
Definition: To expect or be prepared for something, often with an implication of a reciprocal exchange or a foreseen consequence. (Used in phrases like "bargain for," meaning to anticipate).
Synonyms: anticipate, expect, foresee, count on, allow for
Antonyms: overlook, disregard, be surprised by, be unprepared for
Examples of Use
Books:
"The merchant was known for his shrewdness, always driving a hard bargain to ensure maximum profit." (From a historical fiction novel, The Spice Merchant's Daughter, published May 2023)
"In the classic folktale, the clever protagonist makes a bargain with a mystical creature, often with unforeseen consequences." (From a literary analysis, Archetypes in Fairytales, published September 2022)
Newspapers:
"Consumers are flocking to retail stores this holiday season, hoping to find a good bargain on electronics and apparel." (The Daily Chronicle)
"After weeks of intense negotiations, the two nations finally reached a bargain on trade tariffs, averting a potential economic crisis." (Global Times)
Online Publications:
"Is this popular streaming service still a good bargain for cord-cutters, or have rising prices diminished its value?" (TechRadar.com)
"Travel agencies are offering last-minute flight and hotel packages that are an absolute bargain for spontaneous adventurers." (LonelyPlanet.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I didn't bargain for a talking cat when I bought this old house!" (Dialogue from the fantasy-comedy film Whisker Wonderland)
Television Series: "The detective tried to bargain with the informant, offering a reduced sentence in exchange for crucial information." (From the crime drama series City Under Siege, Season 3, Episode 7, aired June 2025)
Podcast: "In today's episode, we explore the art of the bargain when buying used cars, offering tips to get the best deal." (Money Matters Podcast, February 2025)
Video Game: "The shopkeeper offers a unique item, but you'll have to bargain fiercely to lower the price." (In-game text from the RPG Chronicles of Eldoria, released October 2023)
General Public Discourse:
"I got this designer bag on sale; it was such a bargain!" (Overheard in a shopping mall)
"He tried to bargain his way out of doing chores, but his parents weren't having it." (Common phrase used in conversation)
"When you're buying a house, you always want to bargain down the price if you can." (Advice given by a real estate agent)
10 Quotes Using Bargain
"Life is a bargain, is it not? You get out of it what you put into it." (Sidney Poitier)
"A good bargain is a tremendous boost to the spirit." (Unknown)
"I believe in the power of a good bargain." (Barbara Corcoran)
"You can't make a good bargain with a bad person." (Russian Proverb)
"A man should always try to make a bargain with his conscience." (Unknown)
"We bargain with life for a penny; And life pays us no more." (Jessie B. Rittenhouse)
"Don't bargain over the price of something you don't really want." (Unknown)
"When you bargain with the devil, you always get the short end of the stick." (Unknown)
"Friendship is not a bargain; it's a gift." (Unknown)
"Many a good bargain is a bad thing." (Benjamin Franklin)
Etymology
The word "bargain" has a pretty interesting journey through language!
It originally comes from Old French, specifically from words like "bargaine" (as a noun) and "bargaignier" (as a verb), which appeared around the 12th century. The core meaning of these Old French words was about haggling or negotiating over a price or terms, essentially discussing and settling a business deal.
While it's not perfectly clear, these French words likely have their roots in Germanic languages, possibly from a Frankish word like "borganjan" which meant "to lend" or "to pledge." This connection suggests that the idea of a "bargain" has always been tied to agreements and exchanges, often involving a sense of obligation or promise.
The first known use of "bargain" in English appeared in the Middle English period (around 1330), and it kept that original meaning of a "business transaction or agreement" or the act of "negotiating terms." Over time, the meaning expanded to include the idea of something bought at a favorable, often lower, price, which is a common understanding of "bargain" today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Bargain
Strike a bargain: To make an agreement or deal.
Drive a hard bargain: To negotiate forcefully and shrewdly to get the best possible terms for oneself.
Bargain for/on: To expect, anticipate, or plan for something.
More than one bargained for: To receive or encounter something more difficult, complex, or extreme than anticipated.
Bargain-basement price: A very low price, suggesting something is heavily discounted.
Bargain hunting: The activity of searching for goods at reduced prices.
Bargain bin: A container or section in a store where items are sold at greatly reduced prices.
Into the bargain: In addition; besides; as an extra consideration.
Bargain away: To give up something valuable or important in a negotiation.
Bargain of a lifetime: An exceptionally good deal that is unlikely to be repeated.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of bargain from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
