ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bargain

n. · v.
US //ˈbɑɹɡən// UK //bˈɑːɡɪn// bar·gain
  1. 1 a cheap purchase (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    something bought for a much lower price than usual.

    an advantageous purchase, typically one acquired at a price significantly below the market value.

    Example

    I found this designer jacket for twenty dollars; it was a real bargain.

    Example

    The antique dealer realised the painting was a bargain only after he had already committed to the sale at the lower price.
    • rip off
    • overcharge
  2. 2 an agreement (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    an 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.

    Example

    We made a bargain: I would cook dinner if he did the dishes.

    Example

    The union and the management finally struck a bargain that satisfied the workers' demands for better safety protocols.
  3. 3 to negotiate (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to 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.

    Example

    You should try to bargain with the street vendors to get a better price.

    Example

    The diplomats spent several weeks bargaining for the release of the political prisoners before a formal treaty was signed.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'with' for the person and 'for' for the object.
Origin

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.

Idioms6 entries

Last updated June 20, 2026