get

1 of 3

verb

ˈget 

nonstandard

ˈgit 

got ˈgät  ; got or gotten ˈgä-tᵊn  ; getting

transitive verb

1

a

: to gain possession of

got a new bicycle

b

: to receive as a return : earn

he got a bad reputation for carelessness

2

a

: to obtain by concession or entreaty

get your mother's permission to go

b

: to become affected by (a disease or bodily condition) : catch

got measles from his sister

3

a

: to seek out and obtain

hoped to get dinner at the inn

b

: to obtain and bring where wanted or needed

get a pencil from the desk

4

: beget

5

a

: to cause to come or go

quickly got his luggage through customs

b

: to cause to move

get it out of the house

c

: to cause to be in a certain position or condition

got his feet wet

d

: to make ready : prepare

get breakfast

6

a

: to be subjected to

got a bad fall

b

: to receive by way of punishment

c

: to suffer a specified injury to

got my nose broken

7

a

: to achieve as a result of military activity

b

: to obtain or receive by way of benefit or advantage

he got little for his trouble

get the better of an enemy

8

a

: seize

The dog got the thief by the leg.

b

: overcome

Such practices will surely get you in the end.

c

: to have an emotional effect on

the final scene always gets me

d

: irritate

the delays were starting to get her

e

: puzzle

This problem really gets me.

f

: to take vengeance on

specifically : kill

g

: hit

9

: to prevail on : cause

finally got them to tidy up their room

10

a

: have

—used in the present perfect tense form with present meaning

I've got no money

b

: to have as an obligation or necessity

—used in the present perfect tense form with present meaning

you have got to come

11

a

: to find out by calculation

get the answer to a problem

b

: memorize

got the verse by heart

c

: hear

Sorry, but I didn't get your name.

d

: understand

he got the joke

12

: to establish communication with

13

: to put out in baseball

14

: deliver sense 6b

the car gets 20 miles to the gallon

intransitive verb

1

a

: to succeed in coming or going : to bring or move oneself

get away to the country

got into the car

b

: to reach or enter into a certain condition

got to sleep after midnight

c

: to make progress

hasn't gotten far with the essay

2

: to acquire wealth

3

a

: to be able

never got to go to college

b

: to come to be

—often used with following present participle

got talking about old times

4

a

: to succeed in becoming : become

how to get clear of all the debts I owe

—William Shakespeare

b

: to become involved

people who get into trouble with the law

5

: to leave immediately

told them to get

auxiliary verb

—used with the past participle of transitive verbs as a passive voice auxiliary

they got caught in the act

How do you pronounce get?: Usage Guide

The pronunciation \ˈgit\ has been noted as a feature of some British and American dialects since the 16th century. In the phonetic spelling of his own speech Benjamin Franklin records git. However, since at least 1687 some grammarians and teachers have disapproved this pronunciation. It nonetheless remains in widespread and unpredictable use in many dialects, often, but not exclusively, when get is a passive auxiliary (as in get married) or an imperative (as in get up!).

get

2 of 3

noun (1)

ˈget 

plural gets

1

a

: something begotten:

(1)

: offspring

(2)

: the entire progeny of a male animal

a stallion's get

b

: lineage

a colt of champion get

2

: a return of a difficult shot in a game (such as tennis)

Murray saved match point with a cross-court winner, followed by two amazing gets to claw back to 4-5 and 6-6.

—Kevin Mitchell

3

: someone or something that is acquired or gained : acquisition

Michigan State football has reeled in its first big get for the recruiting class of 2024.

—Kirkland Crawford

… the future Hall of Fame quarterback will be joining the booth upon his retirement. … It's a big get for Fox Sports …

—Griffin Carroll

The … sound system is a good get for the money, too, even if it's the "lite" version …

—Justin Narayan

get

3 of 3

noun (2)

ˈget 

plural gittin gē-ˈtēn  ˈgi-tin 

1

: a document of release from obligation in Jewish law

specifically : a bill of divorce

2

: a religious divorce by Jewish law

Phrases

get after

: to pursue with exhortation, reprimand, or attack

The coach really got after the players at halftime.

get ahead

: to achieve success

determined to get ahead in life

get a life

: to stop wasting time on trivial or hopeless matters

get a move on

: hurry

get at

1

: to reach effectively

The valve is hard to get at unless you have a special tool.

2

: to influence corruptly : bribe

3

: to turn one's attention to

The committee finally got at the main issue.

4

: to try to prove or make clear

I don't understand what he's getting at.

get away with

: to avoid criticism or punishment for or the consequences of (such as a reprehensible act)

get cracking

: to make a start : get going

ought to get cracking on that assignment

get even

: to get revenge

get even with

: to repay in kind

get going

: to make a start

time to get going on that assignment

get into

: to become strongly involved with or deeply interested in

got into gymnastics at an early age

get it

: to receive a scolding or punishment

get it on

1

: to become enthusiastic, energetic, or excited

2

: to engage in sexual intercourse

get on

1

: to produce an unfortunate effect on : upset

the noise got on my nerves

2

: to criticize insistently

the fans got on him for losing the game

get one's act together

1

: to put one's life, thoughts, or emotions in order : cease to be confused or misdirected

2

: to begin to function in a skillful or efficient manner

the company finally got its act together

get one's goat

: to make one angry or annoyed

get over

1

a

: overcome, surmount

get over your fear of being lied to

b

: to recover from

still trying to get over a bad cold

c

: to reconcile oneself to : become accustomed to

was very disappointed, but he'll get over it

2

: to move or travel across

get real

: to stop deceiving oneself or fooling around : face reality

get religion

1

: to undergo religious conversion

2

: to turn to or adopt an enlightened course of action or point of view

get somewhere

: to be successful

After a difficult start we're finally getting somewhere.

get there

: to be successful

get through

: to reach the end of : complete

got through the ordeal unhurt

get to

1

a

: begin

gets to worrying over nothing at all

b

: to be ready to begin or deal with

I'll get to the accounts as soon as I can

2

: to have an effect on: such as

a

: influence

b

: bother

All these delays are starting to get to me.

get together

1

: to bring together : accumulate

2

: to come together : assemble, meet

often gets together with his friends after work

3

: to reach agreement

were unable to get together on the new contract

get wind of

: to become aware of

got wind of our plans for the party

get with it

: to become alert or aware : show sophisticated consciousness

Synonyms

Verb

• learn
• master
• pick up

Noun (1)

• fruit
• issue
• offspring
• posterity
• progeny
• seed
• spawn

Examples of get in a Sentence

Verb

He got a new bicycle for his birthday.

I never did get an answer to my question.

I got a letter from my lawyer.

She got a phone call from her sister.

Did you get my message?

You need to get your mother's permission to go.

She hasn't been able to get a job.

If you want to be successful you need to get a good education.

It took us a while to get the waiter's attention.

It took us a while to get a taxi.

Noun (1)

in some animal species, a new mate will refuse to raise another male's get

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In 2024 Inconsistent Service Delivery Another challenge with MSPs is getting consistent service delivery. —Peter Karlson, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more. —EW.com, 22 Oct. 2024

Noun

From pretty much the get, Purdy was uncomfortable in the pocket. —Vincent Frank, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

The 6-foot-6 senior forward might have been UCLA’s biggest get of a busy offseason in its bid to make an equally monumental transition — from losing record to national title contender. —Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old Norse geta to get, beget; akin to Old English bigietan to beget, Latin prehendere to seize, grasp, Greek chandanein to hold, contain

Noun (2)

Late Hebrew gēṭ

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing get

• all get-out
• as all get-out
• attract/get someone's attention
• be/get carried away
• be/get in someone's face
• be/get togged up/out
• come/get to the point
• Don't get me wrong
• flattery will get you nowhere
• from the get-go
• gain/get access to
• get a bang out of
• get about
• get above oneself
• get a charge out of
• get across
• get a fair shake
• get a fix on
• get a good look at
• get a grasp on
• get a grip on
• get a hold of
• get a hold of oneself
• get a kick out of
• get a laugh
• get (all) dolled up
• get (all) misty
• get a load of
• get along
• get an angle on
• get anywhere
• get a result
• get a rise out of
• get a roasting
• get a rollicking
• get around
• get around to (something)
• get a spanking
• get at it
• get away from
• get away from it all
• get away with murder
• get back
• get back at (someone)
• get back to
• get back to work
• get/be caught in a storm
• get behind
• get behind the wheel
• get bent
• get/be shot of
• get better acquainted
• get busy
• get by
• get/catch some sun
• get down
• get down and dirty
• get down on one's (hands and) knees
• get down to brass tacks
• get down to business
• get down to (something)
• get down to the nitty-gritty
• get down to work
• get dressed
• get/find one's bearings
• get-go
• get/go back to nature
• get/go back to (the) basics
• get/have a handle on
• get/have a line on
• get/have an eyeful
• get/have/gain a/the jump on
• get/have/make a late start
• get/have one's bell rung
• get/have one's wires crossed
• get/have the wind up
• get his money's worth
• get hitched
• get hold of
• get hold of oneself
• get in
• get in a lather
• get in a sweat
• get in gear
• get in good with
• get in on (something)
• get in on the act
• get in on the action
• get in on the ground floor
• get into one's stride
• get into the act
• get in touch with
• get in with (someone)
• get it in the neck
• get it into/through one's thick skull
• get it out of one's system
• get it through one's thick head
• get it through someone's head
• get it together
• get it up
• get jerked around
• get knotted
• get/lay one's hands on
• get lost
• get lucky
• get/make an early start
• get married
• get/move on with one's life
• get moving
• get noticed
• get nowhere
• get off
• get off one's ass
• get off one's butt
• get off on (something)
• get off scot-free
• get off someone's case
• get off the ground
• get off to a good/bad start
• get off with (someone)
• get one anywhere
• get one's back up
• get one's card
• get one's claws on
• get one's ducks in a row
• get oneself together
• get one's feet wet
• get one's foot in the door
• get one's head round
• get one's hopes up
• get one's jollies
• get one's kicks (from)
• get one's knickers in a twist
• get one's leg over
• get one's life back together
• get one's life together
• get one's man
• get one's own back
• get one's point across
• get one's priorities straight
• get one's rocks off
• get one's teeth into
• get one's/the facts straight
• get one's thrills
• get one's tongue around
• get one's wings
• get one's wish
• get on for (something)
• get on his bad side
• get on/onto the subject of
• get on someone's case
• get on someone's nerves
• get on someone's wick
• get on the stick
• get on the wrong side of
• get onto
• get on with it
• get on with (something or someone)
• get on with your life
• get organized
• get out
• get out of bed
• get out of bed on the wrong side
• get out of my sight
• get out of proportion
• get out of someone's face
• get out of (something)
• get out the vote
• get/put bums on seats
• get/put one's skates on
• get/put/stick your/one's oar in
• get ready
• (get) ready, (get) set, go
• get rich quick
• get rid of
• get robbed
• get rolling
• get round
• get round to (something)
• get scared
• get/set/start the ball rolling
• get smart with
• get (someone) good
• get (someone) noticed
• get (someone or something) wrong
• get (someone) out of (something)
• get (someone) out of trouble
• get someone's dander up
• get someone's drift
• get someone's goat
• get (someone) wrong
• get (something) off one's chest
• get (something) out of (something or someone)
• get (something) over with
• get (something) right
• get (something) straight
• get (something) through to (someone)
• get spliced
• get started
• get/start off on the right foot
• get/start off on the wrong foot
• get/stay/keep out of someone's/the way
• get stuck in
• get stuffed
• get/take one's kit off
• get/take quite a hammering
• get/take the bit between one's teeth
• get/take the hint
• get technical
• get the best of
• get the better of
• get the bum's rush
• get the chop
• get the creeps
• get the door
• get the gate
• get the hang of
• get the hook
• get the idea
• get the lead out
• get the lowdown on
• get the memo
• get the message
• get the monkey off one's back
• get the nod
• get the phone
• get the picture
• get the pink slip
• get the push
• get the runaround
• get the sack
• get the/this show on the road
• get the worst of it
• get the wrong idea
• get through to (someone)
• get to first base
• get to grips with
• get to sleep
• get to the bottom of
• get tough on
• get tough on crime
• get to work
• get under someone's skin
• get undressed
• get up
• get-up-and-go
• get up on the wrong side of the bed
• get up someone's nose
• get what's coming to one
• get with the program
• get with the times
• have/get a corner on
• have/get one's head (screwed) on right/straight
• have/get one's nose/snout in the trough
• have/get one's (own) way
• have/get the goods on
• have/get the last laugh
• have/take/get someone's measure
• have/take/get the measure of (someone)
• if you can't stand/take the heat, get out of the kitchen
• keep/get one's hands off (of)
• let's get one thing perfectly clear
• not get a wink of sleep
• play hard to get
• put/get the word out
• set/get tongues wagging
• take/get/keep one's mind off
• take/get one's name from
• tell someone where to get off
• when the going gets tough, the tough get going
• When you get right down to it
• Where does he get off
• you get
• you get what you pay for

Kids Definition

get

verb

(ˈ)get,

 especially when unemphatic also  git

got

(ˈ)gät

; got or gotten

ˈgät-ᵊn

; getting

1

: to gain possession of (as by receiving, acquiring, earning, buying, or winning)

get a present

got first prize

get a dog

2

a

: to obtain by request or as a favor

get your mother's permission

b

: to come to have

get a good night's sleep

c

: to come down with (an illness) : catch

get the measles

3

a

: to succeed in coming or going

got out

got home early

b

: to cause to come or go

got the car to the gas station

4

: to become the father of : beget

5

a

: to cause to be in a certain condition

got his hair cut

got her feet wet

b

: become sense 1

get sick

get better

it's getting warmer

c

: prepare sense 2

started getting dinner

6

a

: baffle entry 1 sense 1, puzzle

the third question got everybody

b

: irritate sense 1

don't let it get you

c

: hit entry 1 sense 1c

got him in the leg

d

: kill entry 1 sense 1

swore to get them

7

a

: to be subjected to or experience

get a broken nose

b

: to receive as punishment

got six months for stealing

8

a

: to find out by calculation

got the right answer

b

: to hear correctly

I didn't get your name

c

: understand sense 1a

now I've got it

I get you

9

: persuade, induce

couldn't get her to agree

10

a

: have entry 1 sense 1

—used in the present perfect form with present meaning

I've got no time

b

: to have to : must

—used in the present perfect form with present meaning

has got to come

c

: to be able

got to go swimming

11

: deliver sense 6

the car gets 20 miles to the gallon

12

: to leave immediately

told them to get

Medical Definition

get

transitive verb

(ˈ)get 

got (ˈ)gät  ; got or gotten ˈgät-ᵊn  ; getting

: to catch or become affected by (a disease or bodily condition)

got measles from his brother

got her period