C1 adjective Neutral

bargain

/ˈbɑːrɡən/

Used as an attributive adjective to describe something that is offered at a price significantly lower than its standard value or worth. It implies a favorable transaction for the buyer, often suggesting a high value-to-cost ratio.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I managed to find a bargain flight to Tokyo by booking several months in advance.

I managed to find a bargain flight to Tokyo by booking several months in advance.

2

The corporation acquired the distressed assets at a bargain price, significantly boosting its annual returns.

The corporation acquired the distressed assets at a bargain price, significantly boosting its annual returns.

3

Check out the clearance rack; there are some bargain shirts that look really expensive.

Check out the clearance rack; there are some bargain shirts that look really expensive.

Word Family

Noun
bargain
Verb
bargain
Adjective
bargain
Related
bargaining
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Memory Tip

Think of the 'bar' in bargain. You are raising the 'bar' of what you get while keeping the price low.

Quick Quiz

The investor managed to purchase the startup's patents at a _______ price after the market crash.

Correct!

The correct answer is: bargain

Examples

1

I managed to find a bargain flight to Tokyo by booking several months in advance.

everyday

I managed to find a bargain flight to Tokyo by booking several months in advance.

2

The corporation acquired the distressed assets at a bargain price, significantly boosting its annual returns.

formal

The corporation acquired the distressed assets at a bargain price, significantly boosting its annual returns.

3

Check out the clearance rack; there are some bargain shirts that look really expensive.

informal

Check out the clearance rack; there are some bargain shirts that look really expensive.

4

In economic theory, the availability of bargain goods can lead to a shift in consumer purchasing power within a specific demographic.

academic

In economic theory, the availability of bargain goods can lead to a shift in consumer purchasing power within a specific demographic.

5

Securing that prime real estate at a bargain rate was the highlight of our fiscal quarter.

business

Securing that prime real estate at a bargain rate was the highlight of our fiscal quarter.

Word Family

Noun
bargain
Verb
bargain
Adjective
bargain
Related
bargaining

Common Collocations

bargain price a very low price
bargain hunter someone who looks for low-priced items
bargain basement the section of a store where cheap items are sold
bargain bin a container in a shop for discounted goods
bargain deal an agreement involving a low cost

Common Phrases

into the bargain

in addition to other things mentioned

a bargain is a bargain

an agreement must be honored regardless of circumstances

real bargain

something that is extremely good value for money

Often Confused With

bargain vs cheap

Cheap often implies low quality or tackiness, whereas bargain focuses on the high value relative to the low price.

bargain vs discounted

Discounted specifically means the price has been lowered from an original price, while a bargain just describes the low price itself.

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Usage Notes

When used as an adjective, 'bargain' is strictly attributive, meaning it must come before a noun. You cannot say 'The car is very bargain'; instead, say 'It was a bargain car' or 'The car was a bargain' (noun usage).

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Common Mistakes

Learners often try to use 'bargain' as a predicative adjective (e.g., 'This watch is bargain'). It should be used as a noun in that position: 'This watch is a bargain.'

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'bar' in bargain. You are raising the 'bar' of what you get while keeping the price low.

📖

Word Origin

From the Old French 'bargaignier', which meant to haggle or trade, ultimately linked to the idea of a business agreement.

Grammar Patterns

Attributive use only (placed before the noun) Non-gradable (usually doesn't take 'very' or 'more' in adjective form)
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Cultural Context

Bargain hunting is a significant consumer culture in English-speaking countries, especially during events like Black Friday or Boxing Day sales.

Quick Quiz

The investor managed to purchase the startup's patents at a _______ price after the market crash.

Correct!

The correct answer is: bargain

Related Words

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

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