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Added 30 September 2026

bargain

/ˈbɑːɡən/ noun

In Latin: pāctum Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about bargain at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

An agreement between parties concerning the sale of property; or a contract by which one party binds themself to transfer the right to some property for a consideration, and the other party binds themself to receive the property and pay the consideration.
An agreement or stipulation; mutual pledge.
An item purchased for significantly less than the usual, or recommended, price

verb

To make a bargain; to make a deal or contract for the exchange of property or services; to negotiate; to haggle.
They had to bargain for a few minutes to get a decent price for the rug.
To transfer for a consideration; to barter; to trade

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.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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