WordGarden.iowin
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /wˈɪn/
US
- /ˈwɪn/
Meanings
Verb
to beat others or finish first in a game, race, election, or similar contest
to secure or obtain something such as a prize, contract, case, or someone's support
Noun
a victory in a game, election, contest, or campaign
something positive, beneficial, or worth counting as a success
Beyond the definition
To win is not just about games. It means to succeed in getting something you wanted or worked for, whether that is a competition, an argument, or someone's support. A chess player wins by beating the other player, and a politician wins votes by convincing people. You can win a prize, win an award, or win someone over with a good reason or a kind approach. Sometimes it is not about beating other people at all; it is about getting past your own limits. A runner may feel they have won when they finish a hard race. The phrase "winner takes all" shows how much value people often place on coming out first.
The word "win" signifies achieving success, gaining victory, or obtaining something desired, often in a situation involving competition or effort. It's far more versatile than simply coming first in a race.
At its core, to win means to overcome obstacles and reach a favorable outcome. This could be as straightforward as winning a game of cards ("She won the hand with a royal flush") or as complex as winning an election ("The candidate won by a landslide").
However, "win" isn't always about defeating a rival. You can win an argument through logic and reason, win trust through honesty, or even win the respect of your peers through hard work. It can also describe gaining something valuable: "He won a scholarship to Harvard." This highlights the word's connection to earning something through merit or fortune.
The noun form, "a win," often refers to a successful outcome in general—for example, "That contract was a huge win for our company." Figuratively, it can describe any positive development or small victory in daily life. ("Getting out of bed early today felt like a win.")
Historically, the word comes from Old English roots meaning "to strive," "to struggle," or "to labor." This original sense of effort and struggle still resonates in modern usage; we rarely say we "win" something if no effort or risk was involved. Whether you're celebrating a sporting triumph, securing a business deal, or simply achieving a personal goal, "win" represents the satisfaction of reaching your desired destination.
Examples
- 1
Sports result
Our team won 3-1 last night.
- 2
Race
She won the race by half a second.
- 3
Scholarship
He won a scholarship to study abroad.
- 4
Election
The party is hoping to win the next election.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
User reaction
The new design has already won a lot of praise from users.
- 6
Trust
It takes time to win people's trust.
- 7
Persuasion
I wasn't convinced at first, but her explanation won me over.
- Patternwin someone over
make someone start to support or like you/it
- 8
Customer recovery
The store is offering discounts to win back old customers.
- Patternwin back + person/thing
get them back after losing them
- 9
Common saying
You can't win them all.
- PhraseYou can't win them all
you cannot succeed every time
- 10
Legal decision
The court's decision was a big win for local residents.
- Patterna win for + person/group
a success or advantage for them
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- winnounverb
Forms
- wonpast tensepast participleverbnoun
- winning-ing formverbnoun
- winspluralnounverb