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0 English - Monolingual Dictionary

Retain

rəˈteɪn
Very common
~ 1500
~ 1500, Very common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
to keep or continue to have something, to remember or not forget information, to hold back or keep in place

Retain - Meanings

to keep or continue to have something

Example: She decided to retain ownership of the company.
Usage: formalContext: business, legal contexts
Note: Commonly used in professional settings to indicate keeping possession or control of something.

to remember or not forget information

Example: It's important to retain key facts for the exam.
Usage: formal/informalContext: academic, everyday situations
Note: Can be used in both formal and informal contexts to emphasize the act of remembering information.

to hold back or keep in place

Example: The dam helps retain water in the reservoir.
Usage: formalContext: engineering, scientific contexts
Note: Primarily used in technical or specialized fields to describe the act of keeping something in a specific location or position.

Retain's synonyms

keep

To have or retain possession of something.
Example: She decided to keep the old photographs for sentimental reasons.
Note: Similar in meaning to 'retain', but 'keep' often implies ongoing possession or ownership.

maintain

To continue in the same state or condition; to preserve.
Example: It is important to maintain good relationships with clients.
Note: While 'retain' focuses on holding onto something, 'maintain' emphasizes the act of preserving or upholding.

preserve

To keep something in its original state; to protect from harm or decay.
Example: The museum works hard to preserve ancient artifacts for future generations.
Note: Similar to 'retain' in the sense of keeping something, but 'preserve' often implies a focus on protecting or safeguarding.

hold onto

To keep or maintain a grip on something; to keep possession of something.
Example: He tends to hold onto grudges for a long time.
Note: More colloquial than 'retain', 'hold onto' emphasizes the act of gripping or grasping onto something.

Retain expressions, common phrases

retain information

To remember and hold onto information in one's memory or to keep it for future use.
Example: It's important to retain information from the training session.
Note: This phrase specifically refers to remembering or keeping information in memory.

retain customers

To keep existing customers and prevent them from going to competitors.
Example: The company offers loyalty programs to retain customers.
Note: This phrase is about maintaining or keeping customers for a business.

retain talent

To keep skilled employees within a company or organization.
Example: The company provides career development opportunities to retain talent.
Note: This phrase focuses on keeping skilled individuals within a workforce.

retain control

To maintain authority or power over a situation or group.
Example: The manager wants to retain control over the project.
Note: This phrase refers to maintaining authority or power in a specific context.

retain earnings

To keep and reinvest profits rather than distribute them to shareholders.
Example: The company decided to retain earnings for future investments.
Note: This phrase is about keeping profits within the company for future use.

retain possession

To keep or maintain physical control or ownership of something.
Example: He managed to retain possession of the ball despite the pressure from the defenders.
Note: This phrase is about physically holding onto something rather than just remembering it.

retain a lawyer

To hire and keep the services of a lawyer for legal representation.
Example: She decided to retain a lawyer to handle her legal matters.
Note: This phrase involves hiring a lawyer for ongoing legal assistance.

retain moisture

To keep or hold onto moisture, preventing dryness or dehydration.
Example: Applying a moisturizer helps the skin retain moisture.
Note: This phrase is specific to maintaining moisture in a physical substance.

Retain everyday (slang) expressions

hang on to

To 'hang on to' something is to keep or retain possession of it.
Example: I need to hang on to this key so I don't lose it.
Note: This slang term emphasizes the idea of physically holding onto something to retain it.

stash

'Stash' means to store or hide something safely for future use or protection.
Example: I'll stash some extra money in case of emergencies.
Note: While 'retain' is more general, 'stash' implies keeping something hidden or reserved.

hang onto

Similar to 'hold onto,' 'hang onto' means to keep or retain something, often out of sentimentality or usefulness.
Example: I'll hang onto this old shirt, it still fits me well.
Note: The use of 'hang onto' may suggest a more casual or sentimental attachment to what is being retained.

keep hold of

To 'keep hold of' something is to maintain physical possession or control over it.
Example: Make sure you keep hold of your passport while traveling.
Note: This term highlights the act of actively maintaining physical contact or control over something being retained.

cling to

To 'cling to' something is to hold onto it tightly or keep it close, often emotionally or nostalgically.
Example: She tends to cling to old memories from her childhood.
Note: 'Cling to' suggests a strong emotional attachment or reluctance to let go of something being retained.

Retain - Examples

I want to retain my independence.
The company needs to retain its top talent.
He was able to retain his title as champion.

Retain grammar

Retain - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)
Lemma: retain
Conjugations
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): retained
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): retaining
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): retains
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): retain
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): retain
Syllabification and Stress
retain Contains 2 syllables: re • tain
Phonetic transcription: ri-ˈtān
re tain , ri ˈtān (The red syllable is stressed)

Retain - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
retain: ~ 1500 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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