What does “obtain” mean?
- 1
verbto get something, especially through effort or an official process
You must obtain a visa before you travel.
- 2
verbto exist or be in use, formally
Different rules obtain in wartime.
Obtain at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb
- CEFR level
- B2 (upper intermediate)
- Pronunciation
- /əbˈteɪn/ · ub-TAYN
How to use “obtain” correctly
A formal alternative to “get”, very common in academic and official writing. The meaning “to exist” is rare and very formal.
Common phrases with “obtain”
- obtain permission
- obtain information
- obtain a license
- difficult to obtain
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- get
- acquire
- gain
Word family
- obtainable
- unobtainable
“obtain” is on these word lists
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