Retain — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ri-ˈtān/ re·tain

Meaning & Definition of Retain

Retain (verb)

  1. to keep in possession or use
  2. to keep in one's pay or service; specifically, to employ by paying a retainer
  3. to keep in mind or memory, remember

Retain (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to continue to have in one's possession or power

    "I plan to retain the family heirlooms until my own children are mature enough to appreciate them, and then I will lovingly pass them on"

    similar: hold, keep, reserve, withhold, hang on to, hold on to
    related: conserve, guard, preserve, protect, save, boast, enjoy, have, own, possess, command, control, detain, direct, manage, rule, bear, harbor, cherish, cling (to), hug, treasure
    opposite: give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield
    near: abandon, cede, drop, contribute, donate, give, hand out, discard, dump, decline, reject, repudiate, spurn, lose

  2. to keep, control, or experience as one's own

    "that author retains the right to veto any changes in his books suggested by his publisher's notoriously intrusive editor"

    similar: command, enjoy, have, hold, own, possess, rejoice in
    related: keep, reserve, withhold, bear, carry, boast, show off, sport
    opposite: lack, want
    near: abandon, cede, disclaim, disown, hand over, relinquish, renounce, surrender, yield, discard, dump, decline, reject, repudiate, spurn, need, require

  3. to provide with a paying job

    "her neighbor retained her as a nanny for the summer, thus giving her something to do until school started again"

    similar: assume, employ, engage, fee (chiefly Scottish), hire, lay on (chiefly British), pay, place, recruit, sign (up or on), take on
    related: reemploy, reengage, rehire, apprentice, contract, job, partner, subcontract, enlist, advance, promote, upgrade, keep (on), headhunt, scout
    opposite: ax, can, discharge, dismiss, fire, sack
    near: furlough, lay off, lock out

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Retain

The most common words with a similar meaning to Retain:

Chiefly Scottish: fee
Chiefly British: lay on
hold, keep, reserve, withhold, command, enjoy, have, own, possess, assume, employ, engage, hire, pay, place, recruit, sign (up or on), take on, hang on to, hold on to, rejoice in

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Retain

Words with the opposite meaning of Retain:

give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield, lack, want, ax, can, discharge, dismiss, fire, sack

Related Words for Retain

conserve, guard, preserve, protect, save, boast, control, detain, direct, manage, rule, bear, harbor, cherish, cling (to), hug, treasure, carry, show off, sport, reemploy, reengage, rehire, apprentice, contract, job, partner, subcontract, enlist, advance

Near Antonyms of Retain

abandon, cede, drop, contribute, donate, give, hand out, discard, dump, decline, reject, repudiate, spurn, lose, disclaim, disown, renounce, need, require, furlough, lay off, lock out

Word Forms of Retain

Inflections: retained, retaining, retains

Origin & Etymology of Retain

Middle English reteinen, retainen, from Anglo-French retenir, reteigner, from Latin retinēre to hold back, restrain, from re- + tenēre to hold thin

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Retain

Frequently Asked Questions about Retain

What does "Retain" mean?

"Retain" means to keep in possession or use. As a verb, it is defined as: to keep in possession or use. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Retain"?

Other words for "Retain" include hold, keep, reserve, withhold, command, enjoy, have and own. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Retain" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Retain"?

There are 58 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Retain". Common alternatives include hold, keep, reserve, withhold, command, enjoy, have, own, possess and assume.

What is the opposite of "Retain"?

Antonyms of "Retain" include give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield, lack and want. Near antonyms include abandon, cede, drop and contribute.

How do you use "Retain" in a sentence?

Examples of "Retain" in a sentence: "I plan to retain the family heirlooms until my own children are mature enough to appreciate them, and then I will lovingly pass them on"; "that author retains the right to veto any changes in his books suggested by his publisher's notoriously intrusive editor"; "her neighbor retained her as a nanny for the summer, thus giving her something to do until school started again".

Is "Retain" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Retain" is a verb.

Is "Retain" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Retain" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Retain"?

"Retain" is pronounced /ri-ˈtān/ and divided into syllables as re·tain.