get
12 synonyms and 2 antonyms for get, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To come to have or receive something; to obtain.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use get
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
get a job
get married
get it
get there
get better
"Get" is very common in speech and informal writing; formal writing often prefers more specific verbs like "obtain," "become," or "receive."
Etymology
From Old Norse geta, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to seize" or "to hold" — one of the most flexible and frequently used verbs in English.
Full origin of get →Frequently asked questions
What does “get” mean?
The word “get” means to come to have or receive something; to obtain. In plain terms, one of the most common and flexible English verbs — covering obtaining, becoming, arriving, understanding, and forming casual passives.
How do you pronounce “get”?
“Get” is pronounced geht (/ɡɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “get” in a sentence?
Here is “get” used in a sentence: “Did you get my message yesterday?”
What part of speech is “get”?
“Get” is a verb.
Where does the word “get” come from?
The word “get” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse geta, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to seize" or "to hold" — one of the most flexible and frequently used verbs in English.
Is “get” a common word?
“Get” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “get” have?
“Get” has 7 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to come to have or receive something; to obtain.
What is the difference between 'get' and 'receive'?
Both can mean to come to have something, but 'get' is broader and more informal — you can get something by buying, fetching, or being given it. 'Receive' is more formal and usually passive: it is something handed or sent to you. You get a coffee, but you receive a letter.
Is 'get' formal or informal?
'Get' is informal and extremely versatile, which is why formal writing often replaces it with precise verbs like 'obtain,' 'acquire,' or 'receive.' There is nothing wrong with 'get' in everyday speech and casual writing, but a report might prefer 'the team obtained the results.'
What are the different meanings of 'get'?
'Get' is one of English's most flexible verbs. Beyond 'obtain' ('get a ticket'), it can mean become ('get tired'), arrive ('get home'), understand ('I get it'), or cause something ('get it fixed'). Context decides the sense, which is why it appears in countless everyday phrases.
What is an example of 'get' meaning to obtain?
In 'can you get some bread on the way home?' 'get' means to obtain or fetch. Other examples include 'she got a new job' (acquired) and 'I got your message' (received). In each one, 'get' describes coming to have something.
