Get
/ɡɛt/
Definitions
5 meaningsTo receive or acquire something; to come to have something.
/ɡɛt/
To receive or obtain something.
I got a new book from the library.
💡 Simply: Imagine you really want a toy. Getting it means you finally *have* the toy! Like, 'I'm getting a puppy!' It's about having or receiving something you want or need.
👶 For kids: To have or receive something.
More Examples
She gets a good salary at her job.
Can you get me a glass of water?
He got the promotion he was hoping for.
How It's Used
"I need to get a new phone."
"The company got a large order."
To arrive at or reach a place or destination.
/ɡɛt/
To arrive at or reach a place.
We got to the concert just as it started.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're going on a trip. Getting to your destination is reaching the place you're trying to go. Like, 'I'm getting to the beach this weekend!'
👶 For kids: To go to a place.
More Examples
What time do you get to work?
They got to London late last night.
I'll get to your house in about ten minutes.
How It's Used
"We get to the airport in an hour."
"What time did you get home?"
To become or be in a particular state or condition.
/ɡɛt/
To become or be in a certain state.
It's getting dark outside.
💡 Simply: Imagine something is changing. Like, 'It's getting cold!' That means it's *becoming* cold. Or 'I'm getting hungry!' That means you're starting to feel hungry.
👶 For kids: To start to be something.
More Examples
He got angry when he heard the news.
She's getting better every day.
I'm getting used to this new routine.
How It's Used
"It's getting late."
"I'm getting better."
To understand or comprehend something.
/ɡɛt/
To understand or comprehend.
Do you get what I'm saying?
💡 Simply: Imagine someone tells you a joke, and then you laugh because you 'get' it. Getting something means you understand it! Like 'I get what you mean!'
👶 For kids: To understand something.
More Examples
I don't get this math problem.
She gets the joke.
He didn't get the instructions.
How It's Used
"I don't get the lesson."
"Do you get what I'm saying?"
To cause someone to experience something.
/ɡɛt/
She got a parking ticket.
💡 Simply: When you 'get' something, it can mean something happened to you. 'I got a headache' means I started to have one. 'He got a gift' means he received it.
👶 For kids: To have something happen to you.
More Examples
He got a promotion at work.
I got a cold last week.
They got a good deal on the car.
How It's Used
"He got a speeding ticket."
"She got a surprise from her friends."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
get along
To have a good relationship with someone; to be friendly.
"I get along well with my coworkers."
get away with
To do something wrong or illegal without being punished.
"He always gets away with cheating on tests."
get over
To recover from an illness or disappointment.
"I'm finally getting over the flu."
get on
To board transportation, continue with an activity.
"Get on the bus."
get the hang of
To learn how to do something, often after some practice.
"I'm starting to get the hang of this new software."
From Old English *ġietan, ġetan, from Proto-Germanic *getaną ('to grasp, obtain'). Related to words in other Germanic languages such as German 'gezogen' and Swedish 'geta'.
The word 'get' has been used in English for over a thousand years, with its core meaning of 'obtain' or 'acquire'. Its usage has evolved but remained consistently frequent.
Memory tip
Think of 'getting' a present – you *receive* it.