obtain
uhb-TAYN
Obtain (verb) means to get or acquire something, often through effort or a formal process. Example: “You'll need to obtain a permit before you can start building.”
verb
1
To get or acquire something, often through effort or a formal process.
"You'll need to obtain a permit before you can start building."
"She obtained a copy of the report through a public records request."
"It took him months to obtain the right visa for his trip."
2
To be the case or hold true, especially in formal or legal contexts.
"These rules obtain only in certain jurisdictions."
"The old customs still obtain in some remote parts of the country."
"Different conditions obtain in the north, so the law is applied differently there."
How to use obtain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo get hold of something, usually formally or with some effort.
When to use it
More formal than "get" — common in official, legal, or written contexts.
Common pairings
obtain permission
obtain a licence
obtain evidence
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- obtains
- Past tense
- obtained
- Archaic forms
- obtainest, obtainedst, obtaineth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You'll need to _____ a permit before you can start building.
Etymology
From Latin obtinere, "to gain, hold, possess", from ob- plus tenere ("to hold") — the same root as "tenant" and "contain".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for obtain
See all rhymes for obtain →Frequently asked questions
What does “obtain” mean?
The word “obtain” means to get or acquire something, often through effort or a formal process. In plain terms, to get hold of something, usually formally or with some effort.
How do you pronounce “obtain”?
“Obtain” is pronounced uhb-TAYN (/əbˈteɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “obtain” in a sentence?
Here is “obtain” used in a sentence: “You'll need to obtain a permit before you can start building.”
What part of speech is “obtain”?
“Obtain” is a verb.
Where does the word “obtain” come from?
The word “obtain” comes from Latin. From Latin obtinere, "to gain, hold, possess", from ob- plus tenere ("to hold") — the same root as "tenant" and "contain".
Is “obtain” a common word?
“Obtain” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “obtain” have?
“Obtain” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to get or acquire something, often through effort or a formal process.
What is the difference between obtain and get?
They mean much the same, but 'obtain' is more formal and suggests effort or a proper process, as in obtaining a licence or permission. 'Get' is the everyday, all-purpose word that fits almost any situation. You would obtain a visa in writing but simply get a coffee.
What is an example of obtaining something?
Obtaining usually involves some effort or procedure: getting a passport by filling in forms, securing a loan from a bank, gaining a qualification through study, or acquiring rights or evidence. Each is more deliberate than simply picking something up, which is why 'obtain' carries a formal, purposeful tone.
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