bargain
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.something bought for a much lower price than usual.
n.an advantageous purchase, typically one acquired at a price significantly below the market value.
Simple“I found this designer jacket for twenty dollars; it was a real bargain.”
In context“The antique dealer realised the painting was a bargain only after he had already committed to the sale at the lower price.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.an agreement between two people or groups where each side promises to do something.
n.a mutual agreement or contract between parties concerning the exchange of goods, services, or obligations.
Simple“We made a bargain: I would cook dinner if he did the dishes.”
In context“The union and the management finally struck a bargain that satisfied the workers' demands for better safety protocols.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to talk with someone to try to get a lower price or a better deal.
v.to negotiate the terms and conditions of a transaction or agreement; often intransitive when describing the act of haggling.
Simple“You should try to bargain with the street vendors to get a better price.”
In context“The 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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.