bargain
BAHR-gin
/ˈbɑːrɡɪn/
An agreement between two or more parties as to what each party will do for the other; something bought or offered for sale more cheaply than is usual or expected.
As a noun, it refers to a great deal or a low price. As a verb, it refers to the act of negotiating the price or terms of a transaction.
The story behind the word. The word originally came from Old French maritime trade, where merchants would hesitate, debate, and haggle over the value of cargo arriving at ports. It evolved from describing a long, drawn-out negotiation to meaning the highly favorable deal that resulted from such efforts.
Word relationships
- deal: Deal is more informal and can refer to any transaction, whereas bargain specifically highlights the low price or high value.
- rip-off: A rip-off is an item that is grossly overpriced and represents terrible value.
Commonly confused with
- haggle: Haggle is specifically the verbal act of arguing over a price, whereas bargain can be either the negotiation itself or the resulting cheap item.
Word family
- bargaining (noun): The process of negotiating terms or prices.
Collocations
- drive a hard bargain
- bargain hunter
- bargain price
- real bargain
Idioms & expressions
- drive a hard bargain (to negotiate aggressively and secure highly favorable terms)
Example sentences
- "At only five dollars, this leather jacket was an absolute bargain." A successful shopping trip.
- "In many cultures, it is customary to bargain with street vendors over the price of souvenirs." Negotiating at an open-air market.
Memory hook
Think of a 'bar' where you 'gain' a great deal by talking to the owner. Pay less, gain more.
When not to use
Do not use 'bargain' to describe an item that is cheap but of terrible quality; a bargain should still represent good value for the money spent.
Fun facts
- The idiom 'to drive a hard bargain' dates back to the 16th century, where 'drive' meant to push or force a transaction to a successful conclusion.
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