- 1[intransitive, transitive] to be the most successful in a competition, race, battle, etc. Which team won? win at something to win at cards/chess, etc. win against somebody/something The Penguins won by six goals to two against the Devils. win something to win an election/a game/a war, etc. She loves to win an argument.
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- 2[transitive] to get something as the result of a competition, race, election, etc. win something The ski team won five gold medals. He won $3,000 in the lottery. How many trophies did you win? win something from somebody The Democrats won control of Congress from the Republicans in the last election. win yourself/somebody something You've won yourself a trip to New York.
- 3[transitive] win something to achieve or get something that you want, especially by your own efforts They are trying to win support for their proposals. The company has won a contract to supply books and materials to schools. She won the admiration of many people in her battle against cancer. see no-win, winner, winning, win-win Idioms
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NAmE//wɪn//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they win he / she / it wins
past simple won
-ing form winning
to be successful against someone or something Despite strong opposition, the ruling party carried the day.
to win something very easily
to make someone love you
whether you succeed or fail Win or lose, we'll know we've done our best.
to achieve fame or success
used to express sympathy for someone who has been disappointed about something
used to say that there is no acceptable way of dealing with a particular situation I can't win. If I agree with her, she says I don't have a mind of my own; if I don't, she says I'm being difficult.
used to agree to what someone wants after you have failed to persuade them to do or let you do something else OK, you win, I'll admit I was wrong. Phrasal Verbswin backwin outwin over
Check pronunciation: win