1. To achieve victory or finish first in a competition. 2. To achieve success in an effort or venture: struggled to overcome the handicap and finally won.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
1. To achieve victory or finish first in. 2. To receive as a prize or reward for performance. 3a. To achieve or attain by effort: win concessions in negotiations.b. To obtain or earn (a livelihood, for example). See synonyms at earn1. 4. To make (one's way) with effort. 5. To reach with difficulty: The ship won a safe port.6. To take in battle; capture: won the heights after a fierce attack.7. To succeed in gaining the favor or support of; prevail on: Her eloquence won over the audience.8a. To gain the affection or loyalty of. b. To appeal successfully to (someone's sympathy, for example). c. To persuade (another) to marry one: He wooed and won her.9a. To discover and open (a vein or deposit) in mining. b. To extract from a mine or from mined ore.
NOUN:
1a. A victory, especially in a competition. b. First place in a competition. 2. An amount won or earned.
PHRASAL VERBS:
win out To succeed or prevail. win through To overcome difficulties and attain a desired goal or end.
IDIOM:
win the day To be successful.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English winnen, from Old English winnan, to fight, strive. See wen-1 in Appendix I.
w
n
n), win·ning, wins
less —ADJECTIVE
