Explanation at your level:
A bargain is a thing you buy for a low price. If a toy costs $10 but you pay $2, it is a bargain! You are happy because you save money.
Use bargain to talk about sales. If you find a shirt at a low price, you can say, 'This shirt was a real bargain.' It means you got a good deal.
The adjective bargain describes items priced lower than usual. It is common in shopping contexts. For example, 'I found some bargain flights for our holiday.' It suggests you are a smart shopper.
When you describe something as a bargain, you emphasize the high value relative to the cost. It is often used in advertising to attract customers who are looking for quality at reduced prices.
Beyond simple shopping, bargain can imply a strategic acquisition. In business contexts, identifying a bargain asset requires market insight. It reflects a positive outcome of a negotiation or a market inefficiency.
Etymologically, the transition of bargain from a verb of negotiation to an adjective of value reflects the evolution of consumer culture. It denotes not merely a low price, but a successful alignment of expectation and expenditure, often used in literary descriptions of shrewd characters.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means a good deal
- Common in shopping
- Used as an adjective
- Implies high value
Hey there! Have you ever walked into a store and seen a sign that says 'Bargain Bin'? When we use bargain as an adjective, we are talking about something that is a total steal. It’s not just cheap; it’s a great deal.
Think of it this way: if a fancy jacket usually costs $200 but you find it for $50, that jacket is a bargain find. It’s all about that sweet spot where the quality remains high, but the price tag drops low. It makes the buyer feel smart and savvy for saving money.
The word bargain has a pretty cool history! It comes from the Old French word bargaignier, which meant to 'haggle' or 'trade.' Back in the day, shopping wasn't just about picking an item off a shelf; it was a conversation.
You would meet a merchant, argue about the price, and eventually reach an agreement. Over time, the word shifted from describing the act of arguing over a price to describing the result of a successful deal. It’s fascinating how a word that used to mean 'to argue' now just means 'a great price'!
You will hear bargain used most often in retail and marketing. It’s a very common word in casual conversation when you want to brag about a purchase. You might say, 'Look at this bargain watch I bought!'
It pairs perfectly with nouns like price, buy, and find. While it’s mostly used in casual or commercial settings, you wouldn't typically use it in a formal legal document. It’s a friendly, enthusiastic word that makes people feel good about spending their hard-earned cash.
English is full of fun ways to talk about deals. 1. Drive a hard bargain: To be very tough when negotiating. 2. Bargain basement: Used to describe the lowest possible prices or quality. 3. More than one bargained for: Getting more than you expected. 4. A bargain at the price: Something that is definitely worth the money. 5. Strike a bargain: To finally agree on a deal.
As an adjective, bargain is usually attributive, meaning it comes before the noun (e.g., 'a bargain flight'). The pronunciation is /ˈbɑːrɡɪn/ in both US and UK English. The stress is on the first syllable, making it sound punchy and clear.
It rhymes with words like margin or pargen. Remember, it doesn't change form; you don't say 'bargains price.' It stays singular even if the items are plural, like 'bargain shoes.'
Fun Fact
It originally involved actual physical trading of goods.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'r' sound, short 'i' at end.
Rhotic 'r', clear 'a' sound.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'g' as 'j'
- Adding an extra syllable
- Misplacing stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Simple
Easy
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Attributive Adjectives
A bargain item.
Articles with Nouns
A bargain.
Past Tense
I struck a bargain.
Examples by Level
This apple is a bargain.
a good deal
Attributive use
The shoes are a bargain.
cheap and good
Noun complement
I love a bargain.
I like cheap things
Noun usage
It is a bargain price.
low price
Adjective usage
Is this a bargain?
Is it cheap?
Question form
That was a bargain.
good deal
Past tense
Find a bargain here.
look for deals
Imperative
Buying books is a bargain.
good value
Gerund subject
The coat was a real bargain.
We found many bargain items.
This hotel is a bargain.
I always look for bargain deals.
Are these bargain prices?
That car was a bargain.
It is a bargain buy.
You got a bargain!
The flight was a bargain at $50.
I love bargain hunting on weekends.
This laptop is a bargain for the features.
We found a bargain restaurant.
It's a bargain compared to the others.
Don't miss these bargain prices.
She is a bargain expert.
The house was a bargain.
He secured a bargain property.
The company offered bargain rates.
It was a bargain in every sense.
I consider this phone a bargain.
Finding such quality at a bargain price is rare.
She is known for her bargain shopping.
The service is a bargain.
Everything in the store is a bargain.
The acquisition was a bargain for the firm.
His expertise came at a bargain rate.
Investors sought out bargain stocks.
The deal was a bargain by any standard.
He negotiated a bargain contract.
It was a bargain purchase of historical significance.
The price was a bargain, given the rarity.
They found a bargain solution.
The estate was sold at a bargain price.
Such a bargain is seldom seen in this market.
He viewed the antique as a bargain.
The bargain nature of the deal was clear.
She possessed a keen eye for a bargain.
The bargain price belied the quality.
It was a bargain of epic proportions.
The bargain was struck quickly.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"drive a hard bargain"
to be tough in negotiations
She drives a hard bargain.
neutral"strike a bargain"
to reach an agreement
They struck a bargain.
formal"bargain basement"
very low price/quality
The store is bargain basement.
casual"more than one bargained for"
unexpected outcome
It was more than I bargained for.
neutral"a bargain at the price"
worth the cost
It is a bargain at the price.
neutralEasily Confused
both mean low price
cheap can mean low quality
Bargain is good value; cheap is just low price.
both relate to price
discount is the action
I got a discount on this bargain.
both imply worth
value is the quality
This is good value.
both mean buying
sale is the event
The item is on sale.
Sentence Patterns
It is a bargain.
This coat is a bargain.
I got a bargain.
I got a bargain at the store.
It's a bargain at [price].
It's a bargain at $10.
He is a bargain hunter.
He is a bargain hunter.
They struck a bargain.
They struck a bargain quickly.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Do not pluralize the adjective.
Bargain is a noun/adj, needs a determiner.
Redundant, bargain already implies cheap.
Use the base form as an adjective.
Bargain has no adverb form.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a giant tag on your favorite item.
Native Usage
Use it when shopping.
Cultural Insight
Bargain hunting is a hobby.
Grammar Shortcut
It is an adjective before a noun.
Say It Right
Stress the first syllable.
Don't pluralize
Never say 'bargains price'.
Did You Know?
It comes from 'to haggle'.
Study Smart
Use it in sentences.
Synonym Power
Use 'steal' for emphasis.
Context Matters
Use it in stores.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
BAR-GAIN: You go to the BAR to GAIN a deal.
Visual Association
A person holding a giant price tag that says $1.
Word Web
Challenge
Find one item today that you think is a bargain.
Word Origin
Old French
Original meaning: to haggle or trade
Cultural Context
None
Used heavily in shopping culture and sales events.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Shopping
- Is this a bargain?
- It is a real bargain.
- I love a bargain.
Business
- We struck a bargain.
- The rate is a bargain.
- Negotiate a bargain.
Travel
- A bargain flight.
- A bargain hotel.
- Find a bargain.
Casual
- What a bargain!
- Total bargain.
- Bargain find.
Conversation Starters
"What is the best bargain you ever found?"
"Do you like to go bargain hunting?"
"Do you think bargain items are good quality?"
"How do you strike a bargain?"
"Is price the most important thing?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you found a bargain.
Write about a shopping trip.
Do you prefer quality or price?
How do you negotiate a deal?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it can be a noun or verb.
No, use 'a real bargain'.
No, just a low price.
It is mostly neutral.
Someone who looks for deals.
No, only items.
Yes, very common.
No.
Test Yourself
That shirt is a ___.
It describes a good price.
What does bargain mean?
Bargain means a good price.
A bargain is always very expensive.
Bargains are cheap.
Word
Meaning
Matching synonyms.
Subject-verb order.
She is a tough ___ hunter.
Bargain hunter is a collocation.
Which is an idiom?
It's a common phrase.
Bargain can be a verb.
It means to negotiate.
Word
Meaning
Advanced meanings.
Complex sentence structure.
Score: /10
Summary
A bargain is a smart purchase that gives you great value for your money.
- Means a good deal
- Common in shopping
- Used as an adjective
- Implies high value
Memory Palace
Imagine a giant tag on your favorite item.
Native Usage
Use it when shopping.
Cultural Insight
Bargain hunting is a hobby.
Grammar Shortcut
It is an adjective before a noun.
Example
I managed to find a bargain flight to Tokyo by booking several months in advance.
Related Content
Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
More Shopping words
mall
A1A mall is a large building or a group of buildings that contains many different shops and stores connected by walkways. It is a central place where people go to shop, eat at food courts, and sometimes see movies.
used
A1Describes an item that has been owned or utilized by someone else before being sold or given to another person. In shopping, it usually refers to second-hand goods that are cheaper than brand-new ones.
bookstore
B2A bookstore is a commercial establishment primarily dedicated to the retail sale of books and related literary materials. It serves as a place where customers can browse, discover, and purchase various genres of writing, ranging from fiction to academic textbooks.
coat
A1A piece of clothing with long sleeves that is worn over other clothes to keep warm or dry. It is typically worn outdoors and is generally longer than a jacket, often reaching the mid-thigh or knees.
buy
A1To obtain something by paying money for it. It is a fundamental action in commerce where ownership of an item or service is transferred in exchange for currency.
bakery
A1A bakery is a place where bread, cakes, pastries, and other flour-based foods are baked and sold. It is a specialized shop that often serves as a local source for fresh breakfast items and desserts.
sephora
B1Sephora is a multinational chain of personal care and beauty stores. It features a variety of beauty products from more than 300 brands, including cosmetics, skincare, body, fragrance, nail color, and haircare.
scarf
A1A scarf is a long piece of fabric worn around the neck, head, or shoulders for warmth or fashion. It is a popular accessory used in cold weather or to add style to an outfit.
card
A1A card is a small, rectangular piece of plastic used for paying for goods or services. It can also refer to a piece of stiff paper used for sending greetings or playing games.
size
A1Size describes how big or small an object, person, or space is. In shopping, it specifically refers to the standard measurements used for clothing, shoes, and accessories to ensure a proper fit.
