Dictionary Entry
retain
retain is a 6-letter English word with 9 senses as transitive verb, intransitive verb, and verb in the JumbleFix dictionary. One common meaning is: To continue to hold; to keep in possession; not to lose, part with, or dismiss; to retrain from departure, escape, or the like. Face value is 6 in Scrabble and 7 in Words With Friends. Use the entries below when you need a playable sense, a nearby word, or another arrangement of the same letters.
6 letters · Scrabble 6 · Words With Friends 7 · 9 senses
Definitions
- 1transitive verb
To continue to hold; to keep in possession; not to lose, part with, or dismiss; to retrain from departure, escape, or the like.
- 2transitive verb
To keep in pay; to employ by a preliminary fee paid; to hire; to engage; as, to retain a counselor.
- 3transitive verb
To restrain; to prevent.
- 4intransitive verb
To belong; to pertain.
- 5intransitive verb
To keep; to continue; to remain.
- 6verb
keep in one's mind
"I cannot retain so much information"
- 7verb
secure and keep for possible future use or application
"The landlord retained the security deposit"
"I reserve the right to disagree"
Synonyms
- 8verb
allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature
"We cannot continue several servants any longer"
"She retains a lawyer"
- 9verb
hold back within
"This soil retains water"
"I retain this drug for a long time"
Synonyms
Anagrams
Other playable words that use exactly the letters in retain:
Common word forms
Words from these letters
If you are holding these tiles, the unscrambler for RETAIN lists every valid word you can make from the same letters, including shorter plays.