Word a Day
obtain
What does obtain mean?
obtain (verb): to get hold of; to gain possession of, to procure; to acquire, in any way.
Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
How do you use obtain in a sentence?
- Applicants must obtain a permit before construction. (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0)
- We obtained accurate data from the survey. (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0)
How do you pronounce obtain?
/əbˈteɪn/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.
Where does obtain come from?
From Middle English obteinen, from Anglo-Norman obtenir, optiner et al., and Middle French obtenir.
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Words related to obtain
From Princeton WordNet 3.1.
Test yourself: do you know “obtain”?
Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.
What does “obtain” mean?
remove, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense
Not quite: that's what extract means.
to cause (something) to move rapidly in opposite directions alternatingly
Not quite: that's what shake means.
to force, cram or thrust (someone or something) into or through something
Not quite: that's what ram means.
to get hold of; to gain possession of, to procure; to acquire, in any way
Right! That's what “obtain” means.
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