got
8 synonyms for got, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — Past tense and past participle of "get" — to have received, obtained, or acquired something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
procured
came by
got hold of
How to use got
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
got to go
got it
have got
"Gotta" and dropping "have" ("I got a car") are casual speech, not standard written English.
Etymology
The past form of "get", itself from Old Norse geta, meaning "to obtain" or "to guess".
Full origin of got →Frequently asked questions
What does “got” mean?
The word “got” means past tense and past participle of "get" — to have received, obtained, or acquired something. In plain terms, the past tense of "get" — used for having, receiving, or needing to do something.
How do you pronounce “got”?
“Got” is pronounced got (/ɡɑt/ in IPA).
How do you use “got” in a sentence?
Here is “got” used in a sentence: “She got a promotion after only six months.”
What part of speech is “got”?
“Got” is a verb.
Where does the word “got” come from?
The word “got” comes from Old Norse. The past form of "get", itself from Old Norse geta, meaning "to obtain" or "to guess".
Is “got” a common word?
“Got” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “got” have?
“Got” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: past tense and past participle of "get" — to have received, obtained, or acquired something.
What is the difference between 'got' and 'gotten'?
Both are past participles of 'get.' British English generally uses 'got' ('have you got the message?'), while American English often prefers 'gotten' to describe a process or change ('the weather has gotten worse'). For the simple past tense, both varieties use 'got,' as in 'I got a letter yesterday.'
Is 'got' the past tense of 'get'?
Yes. 'Got' is the past tense of 'get,' as in 'I got your message this morning.' It is also the past participle in British English, as in 'she has got a new job.' The base form is 'get' and the present participle is 'getting.'
Is 'have got' correct English?
Yes, 'have got' is standard, especially in British English, where it commonly means 'have' or 'possess,' as in 'I have got two sisters.' It can also express obligation: 'I have got to leave.' In formal writing many people simply use 'have,' but 'have got' is perfectly acceptable in everyday speech.
