bargain
n. · v.-
1 a cheap purchase (n.) B1 Intermediatesomething bought for a much lower price than usual.
an advantageous purchase, typically one acquired at a price significantly below the market value.
ExampleI found this designer jacket for twenty dollars; it was a real bargain.
ExampleThe antique dealer realised the painting was a bargain only after he had already committed to the sale at the lower price.
- rip off
- overcharge
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2 an agreement (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatean agreement between two people or groups where each side promises to do something.
a mutual agreement or contract between parties concerning the exchange of goods, services, or obligations.
ExampleWe made a bargain: I would cook dinner if he did the dishes.
ExampleThe union and the management finally struck a bargain that satisfied the workers' demands for better safety protocols.
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3 to negotiate (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto talk with someone to try to get a lower price or a better deal.
to negotiate the terms and conditions of a transaction or agreement; often intransitive when describing the act of haggling.
ExampleYou should try to bargain with the street vendors to get a better price.
ExampleThe diplomats spent several weeks bargaining for the release of the political prisoners before a formal treaty was signed.
UsageOften used with the preposition 'with' for the person and 'for' for the object.
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.