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get [ get ] (past got [ got ], past participle got [ got ] or got·ten [ gótt'n ], present participle get·ting, 3rd person present singular gets) CORE MEANING: a verb indicating that somebody obtains, receives, earns, or is given something. It is often used instead of more formal terms such as "obtain" or "acquire."
  We're trying to ensure that our child gets a good education.
Where will they get the money to buy the land? |
| Definition: |
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1. intransitive verb become: to become or begin to have a particular quality
When I get nervous, I get scared.
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2. transitive verb cause something to be done: to cause something to happen or be done
I must get the car cleaned.
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3. transitive verb bring something: to fetch or bring something
I'm going back to my apartment to get my watch.
I'll get your coat for you.
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4. transitive verb catch illness: to be affected by an illness or medical condition
He got chicken pox last year.
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5. intransitive verb be in particular state: to enter or leave a particular state or condition
Get ready to leave in five minutes.
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6. intransitive verb move somewhere: to succeed in moving or arriving somewhere
It was already midnight when we got home.
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7. aux v forms passives: used instead of "be" as an auxiliary verb to form passives
If you play with matches you will get burned.
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8. transitive verb prepare food: to prepare a meal
I'll get dinner tonight.
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9. transitive verb persuade somebody: to persuade somebody to do something
Colleagues had tried to get her to take a vacation.
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10. transitive verb use form of transportation: to take a particular form of transportation
I don't want to drive - I'd rather get a plane.
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11. transitive verb obtain result: to obtain a result, e.g. by experiment or calculation
What's the answer? I get nine.
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12. transitive verb receive signal: to receive a broadcast signal such as a radio or television broadcast
I can't get Channel 5 with that antenna.
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13. transitive verb have time: to have the time or opportunity to do something
I'll fix it as soon as I get the time.
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14. transitive verb have idea: to have or receive an idea, impression, feeling, or benefit
You've got the wrong impression - I'm not like that at all.
I get a lot of pleasure from his stories.
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15. transitive verb manage to see something: to succeed in seeing something
get a close-up look
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16. transitive verb begin something: to begin doing something
(
informal
)
Let's get going - we have to be there by eight.
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17. transitive verb manage something: to manage or contrive something
(
informal
)
How did she get to be so famous?
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18. transitive verb understand something: to hear or understand something, e.g. a joke or somebody's point
(
informal
)
What's that? I didn't get what you said.
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19. transitive verb irritate somebody: to annoy or irritate somebody
(
informal
)
That high whining noise really gets me.
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20. transitive verb arrest somebody: to arrest or capture somebody
(
informal
)
They got him just as he was running out of the bank.
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21. transitive verb hit somebody: to hit somebody on the body
(
informal
)
The blow got him in the face.
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22. transitive verb have revenge on somebody: to have revenge on somebody, especially by killing the person
(
informal
)
The heroes get Dracula in the end.
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23. intransitive verb gain access: to gain access to somebody with intent to bribe him or her
(
informal
)
I thought he was incorruptible, but they finally got to him.
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24. intransitive verb leave: to go away from a place or person
(
informal
)
(
often used in commands
)
Now get!
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25. transitive verb conceive somebody: to beget or conceive somebody
(
archaic
)
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| [13th century. < Old Norse geta< Indo-European, "seize"] |
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| get·a·ble adjective |
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get with it to become fashionable and responsive to new styles and ideas (informal)
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| Word Key: Synonyms |
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get, acquire, obtain, gain, procure, secure
CORE MEANING: to come into possession of something
get to obtain, receive, earn, or be given something;
He managed to get a job on a building site.
"The public will get a worse railroad for more money," he claimed.
acquire to get possession of something, sometimes suggesting that time or effort was involved;
the knowledge, skills, and understanding that students are expected to acquire
He inherited some property and acquired more through marriage.
obtain to get something, especially by making an effort or having the necessary qualifications;
The best results are obtained from watercolors.
Schools and colleges can obtain the documents from the relevant agencies.
gain to get something through effort, skill, or merit;
The candidate was steadily gaining more support.
Students are encouraged to become an intern to gain experience of the world of work.
procure to get something, especially with effort or special care;
He procured a copy of the book from the local library.
secure to get something, especially after using considerable effort to persuade somebody to grant or allow it;
Having just secured world rights for her first book, she's leading a life of leisure.
The team has secured lucrative support from two local firms. |
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