get
geht
Get (verb) means to come to have or receive something; to obtain. Example: “She got a new job at the hospital.”
verb
1
To come to have or receive something; to obtain.
"She got a new job at the hospital."
"Did you get my message yesterday?"
"Where can I get a cheap ticket for the evening show?"
2
To become, or to cause someone or something to become, a certain way (often with an adjective).
"It's getting cold outside."
"He got angry when they cancelled the meeting."
"Don't get nervous; the interview will be over before you know it."
3
To fetch or bring something.
"Can you get me a glass of water?"
"Could you get my glasses from the bedroom, please?"
"I'll get the children from school on my way home."
4
To arrive at or reach a place or state.
"What time do we get to the airport?"
"We should get home before the rain starts."
"It took hours to get to the village through the snow."
5
To understand something.
"Sorry, I don't get the joke."
"I read the instructions twice, but I still don't get what to do."
"Do you get why everyone is laughing at that cartoon?"
6
To catch or contract an illness.
"He got the flu last week and had to stay home."
"Children often get colds when the weather turns damp."
"I always get a sore throat after shouting at football matches."
7
Used with a past participle to form a passive construction, emphasising an event happening (e.g. "get fired," "get married").
"She got promoted after only six months."
"My cousin is getting married in the spring."
How to use get
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne of the most common and flexible English verbs — covering obtaining, becoming, arriving, understanding, and forming casual passives.
When to use it
"Get" is very common in speech and informal writing; formal writing often prefers more specific verbs like "obtain," "become," or "receive."
Common pairings
get a job
get married
get it
get there
get better
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Word forms
- Plural
- gets, gittim, gitten
- Third person singular
- gets
- Past tense
- got, gat, gotten, getten
- Archaic forms
- gettest, gottest, gattest, getteth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Did you _____ my message yesterday?
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.
Synonyms
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Related words
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.
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