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to get

to get

1.0
To receive something, for example by buying it or finding it
  • verb
  • /ɡɛt/
translation icon : conseguir
  • The children usually went to get colored paper or blank paper from the art center.
  • get a job
  • get money
  • get help

They're in business to get movie and TV deals.

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Examples

  • I need to get some groceries before the store closes.

  • They decided to get a new laptop for their studies.

  • Really, really hard to get these old books.

  • Almost half of all Washington residents with health insurance get their insurance through large group insurance policies.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The sum of all items can be used to get the total engagement score.

    Academic text (2015)
  • I'm gonna go upstairs to get some stuff.

  • They're in business to get movie and TV deals.

  • The library is a useful resource for me to get new books to broaden my knowledge.

    Academic text (2015)
  • She hopes to get a promotion at work this year.

Synonyms

to receive
vsto get
1.0

To get something that someone gives you

is broader and also includes actively obtaining or catching things
to gain
vsto get
1.4

To get something useful, often by effort, like money or skills

is more common and also covers passive or accidental acquisition
to obtain
vsto get
619 2.6

To get something by asking or working for it

is the broader everyday verb covering buying, illness, and parenthood
to acquire
vsto get
458 3.3

To get something or learn a skill over time

is a shorter, more general word covering many ways of acquiring
77 4.1

To obtain something that is hard to find or buy

is a general verb that covers easier and harder ways to obtain
to contract
vsto get
70 4.3

Get an illness, for example the flu

also covers this meaning but extends to many nonmedical senses
to get hold
vsto get
  • UK
66 3.2

To contact a person or obtain something you need

is broader and also covers simple receiving or accidental catching
to procure
vsto get
45 6.8

To get something you need, often by trying hard or getting special help

is more general and used in everyday situations as well
to father
vsto get
32 2.7

To be the male parent of a child

is broader, naming parenthood among many other acquisition senses
to get hold of
vsto get
24 2.5

To take something in your hand

is wider in meaning, including nonphysical forms of acquisition
to sire
vsto get
22 8.4

To father young animals or people

contains this male parent sense but also other ways of acquiring
to generate
vsto get
19 3.0

To make young animals or plants

includes this reproductive sense but also many nonreproductive senses
to beget
vsto get
  • Archaic
8 9.9

To become the father of a child, especially in old or religious language

is the everyday form that covers parenthood plus other senses
to bring forth
vsto get
  • Literature
5 8.1

To give birth to a child or young animal

is more general and used in everyday speech for many gains
to mother
vsto get
3 4.8

To give birth to a child or young animal

is broader, covering both male and female parenthood and other senses
to engender
vsto get
  • Archaic
2 7.2

To cause the birth of children or young animals

is more common and covers simple obtaining as well as creating

Antonyms

1.0

Not be able to find something you once had

233 2.0

Hand something to someone without asking for money

Idioms

from the get-go
  • Informal
52 6.6

Right from the very start

to get a life
  • Offensive
36 8.7

Tell someone to do something more interesting with their time

32 4.6

To organize yourself and behave better to reach a goal

25 7.2

To annoy someone again and again so they feel bothered

24 9.9

To put your life in order and take care of your tasks

to get the memo
  • Informal
14 7.1

To learn about a rule others already know and follow it

To receive punishment or bad results for doing wrong

10 8.3

Tell people who kiss or cuddle in public to do it privately

10 8.6

Warn someone not to mention a topic because they talk a lot and get upset

9 6.0

Talk about something worrying you so you feel better

8 8.1

Find a chance to say something when others keep talking

7 9.2

Leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger

To calm your mind and think clearly

6 8.6

Enjoy yourself by dancing with a lot of energy

To speak directly about the main idea without extra details

6 5.0

To try again after a failure, especially when you feel afraid

To decide what is most important to do

Stop acting as if you are better than others

To become too upset about a small problem

4 7.7

To make the first real progress in work or a relationship

To annoy someone a lot by small things another person does

4 7.5

To misunderstand each other because of poor communication

3 4.9

Start doing something to gain some experience

Start talking about the most important details

To start something after getting everything ready

Agree with others to avoid conflict

Lose badly in a fight, game, or contest

2 4.8

Lose your job because your employer fires you

End up with what you wanted, often in a way you do not like

To start dealing with the most important details

2 9.9

Start working quickly and with more energy

to get religion
  • Informal
2 8.6

To become very serious about something after not caring

To become upset or worried about small things

To become very upset about a small problem

all get out
  • Informal
1 9.9

A very large amount or degree that people use to show emphasis

as all get-out
  • Informal
1 9.9

A very informal phrase people use to mean extremely

To feel too proud of your own work or ideas and ignore other people's advice

To make someone understand or accept something after many tries

1 9.7

To start working hard without delay

1 9.1

To make someone angry

To feel more energetic and creative and ready to work or think

To become upset or worried about something not important

1 8.9

To lose a job suddenly because of a mistake or problem

Start a new activity very successfully and make quick progress

To have bad results after taking a risk

To annoy someone or make them feel defensive

1 9.9

Tell someone in a rude way to decide now or stop wasting time

where to get off
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Angrily tell someone to mind their own business

Exactly as they appear, with nothing hidden

Tell someone to stop worrying about a problem and move on

Very unwilling to change their mind

9.9

Looks very expensive to impress people

Phrasal Verbs

2.8

Start to do or feel something

1.0

Leave a place or situation

2.4

Reach a goal, place, or state after effort

1.0

Take something out of a container like a box or cupboard

3.0

Leave a place quickly or suddenly

1.6

Have again something you had before it was lost or taken

1.0

To officially become someone's husband or wife

1.6

To remove or throw away something you do not want

1.0

To go inside a place or vehicle

1.0

To leave your bed after sleeping

to get it
  • Informal
877 1.1

To understand something after someone explains it

786 4.1

To avoid being punished for something you did wrong

769 3.1

Become involved in something, often without meaning to

752 2.6

To reply to someone later with information

695 1.0

To stand up from sitting or lying down

To escape punishment for doing something wrong

to get together
  • Informal
644 2.0

To meet with other people for a social event or to do something together

573 1.0

To become healthier, more skilled, or more successful

529 1.9

Have a friendly relationship with someone

514 2.4

Begin to feel comfortable with something that once felt strange

481 1.8

To begin doing something, for example a task or meeting

468 1.0

Board a train, bus, or plane

to get out
  • Informal
462 3.8

Avoid doing a task or taking blame you should accept

434 3.8

Say something with difficulty because you feel nervous or upset

422 2.3

To start doing something or to leave

412 3.5

Become known to many people, even when it was secret

390 2.5

To become more serious, often about health or a situation

378 1.0

Become ill and have signs like fever or cough

374 3.2

To go away from work or home to rest and relax

361 3.5

To climb down from a horse or similar animal

340 2.8

Recover from an illness, disappointment, or other difficulty

332 2.8

To reach a place or goal after overcoming problems

319 2.0

Move into or enter a place

297 2.7

To be accepted to a college or university after you apply

289 2.7

Be accepted by a school or university

279 3.2

Make progress with a project

270 3.0

Manage to move beyond a problem or a bad feeling

Start doing your job again after a break

253 1.0

To put on clothes

To finish an unpleasant task quickly so you do not worry about it

246 2.1

To finish work at the end of your shift

Escape blame or punishment for doing something wrong

to get to work
  • Informal
231 2.0

To start doing your job, often after a delay

221 1.0

To make someone leave their bed or stand up

to get to
  • Informal
215 6.3

Annoy or upset someone gradually

213 1.6

To leave a vehicle, for example a bus, or stop annoying someone

To stop or slow something from happening

Face blame or punishment for something you did wrong

Have problems because of what you do

194 4.1

To reach or take something in a place that is hard to reach

190 2.1

To do something correctly so it works as intended

180 2.2

To be unable to move or continue because something blocks you

179 4.4

To start doing work or a task seriously

170 6.0

To avoid punishment for a crime or charge

170 2.5

To leave a vehicle or animal by stepping down

168 2.3

Continue doing something, especially after an interruption

165 3.0

To escape from people who are holding you, often by force

155 2.3

Contact someone after not talking for a while

155 2.6

To reach someone by phone or message

147 2.8

Begin to like and learn about something

Find the real reason for a problem by checking carefully

136 2.0

Have a friendly relationship with someone

134 2.8

To finish a task you need to do

128 3.3

To finish a difficult or long task

126 3.1

Talk about the most important part without extra details

to get it on
  • Offensive
125 9.3

To have sex with someone

121 3.1

Manage to live with little money or help

119 2.0

Have a friendly relationship with someone

to get together
  • Informal
118 2.8

To bring people together for a meeting or activity

115 4.2

Avoid doing something difficult or needed by finding a clever way

to get it
  • Informal
113 8.2

To be punished or scolded for something you did

112 9.3

Feel very happy and different after taking drugs or alcohol

112 1.0

To feel very eager and happy about something

Compounds

get-go
  • Informal
61 6.9

The very start of an activity or project

get-together
  • Informal
46 1.9

A small informal meeting for people to talk and spend time together

11 5.6

A chance to avoid punishment or trouble

get-up
  • Informal
10 5.6

A set of clothes worn to attract attention or to hide who you are

A card sent to someone who is ill to wish them a quick recovery

get-up-and-go
  • Informal
4 6.1

A feeling of energy and enthusiasm to start and do things

A dishonest plan that promises to make you rich quickly with little work

How Active

to procure
45 6.8
to obtain
619 2.6
to get
1.0
to receive
1.0

Surface Forms

get infinitive
getting present participle
gets third person singular
got past
got past participle

Etymology

Get comes from the old English word gietan, which meant 'to obtain' or 'reach'. So to get something is still to 'obtain' or 'receive' it.