bargain

1 of 2

noun

bar·​gain ˈbär-gən 

often attributive

1

: an agreement between parties settling what each gives or receives in a transaction between them or what course of action or policy each pursues in respect to the other

They struck a bargain to sell only to each other.

Keep your side of the bargain.

2

: something acquired by or as if by negotiating over the terms of a purchase, agreement, or contract

especially : an advantageous purchase

At that price the car is a bargain.

We got a bargain on the plane tickets.

3

: a transaction, situation, or event regarded in the light of its results

a bad bargain

bargain

2 of 2

verb

bargained; bargaining; bargains

intransitive verb

1

: to negotiate over the terms of a purchase, agreement, or contract : haggle

The seller might be willing to bargain over the price.

2

: to come to terms : agree

transitive verb

1

: to bring to a desired level by bargaining

bargain a price down

2

: to sell or dispose of by bargaining

—often used with away

bargained away wage increases for other benefits

bargainer noun

Phrases

into the bargain or less commonly in the bargain

: besides

tastes good and is good for you, into the bargain

bargain for

: expect

more work than I bargained for

Synonyms

Noun

• buy
• deal
• pennyworth
• snip [British]
• steal

Verb

• chaffer
• deal
• dicker
• haggle
• horse-trade
• negotiate
• palter

Examples of bargain in a Sentence

Noun

I think everyone involved was satisfied with the bargain we made.

They've agreed to turn the land over to the state, and the state, as its part of the bargain, has agreed to keep it undeveloped.

She likes to hunt for bargains when she shops.

Verb

The price listed is quite high, but the seller might be willing to bargain.

they bargained with the car salesman for half an hour before settling on a price

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If that’s who Brown can be going forward, a $3 million deal could be a bargain for an average forward (where the cost can rise above $4 million) rather than the poor deal shown above. —Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 17 June 2025

The Blue Carbon pan from de Buyer, a relative bargain, has great reviews for its low maintenance, but Bon Appétit food director Chris Morocco has been a longtime fan of the higher performance Mineral B series. —Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 June 2025

Verb

The sides had bargained on and off for more than a year by then, operating without a contract since November 2022. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 11 June 2025

What’s next: Backed by the Service Employees International Union, Oakland Assemblymember Buffy Wicks introduced Assembly Bill 1340 that would allow ridesharing drivers to bargain for better pay and benefits and provide more protections for gig workers. —Pat Maio, Oc Register, 8 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from bargaigner

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French bargaigner, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old English borgian to borrow — more at bury

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing bargain

• bargain away
• bargain basement
• bargain for
• drive a hard bargain
• keep one's side of the bargain
• kept one's side of the bargain/deal
• strike a bargain

Rhymes for bargain

• jargon

Kids Definition

bargain

1 of 2 noun

bar·​gain ˈbär-gən 

1

: an agreement between parties settling what each is to give or receive in a business deal

2

: something bought or offered for sale at a desirable price

bargain

2 of 2 verb

: to talk over the terms of a purchase or agreement

bargainer noun

Legal Definition

bargain

1 of 2 noun

bar·​gain

often attributive

1

: an agreement between parties that settles what each gives or receives (as a promise or performance) in a transaction between them compare contract

2

a

: something acquired by or as if by bargaining

b

: something whose value considerably exceeds its cost

a bargain purchase

bargain

2 of 2 intransitive verb

1

a

: to negotiate over the terms of an agreement (as a contract)

b

: to engage in collective bargaining

the employer must bargain with the union

2

: to agree to certain terms or conditions : come to terms

plaintiff bargained with the store for a lower price

transitive verb

: to convey according to a bargain

does hereby grant, bargain, sell, alien and confirm to the party of the second part, the following described property

—often used with sell in deeds to indicate that the conveyor is receiving consideration in exchange for the property

Etymology

Noun

Old French bargaigne negotiation, haggling, from bargaignier to haggle