Get

/ɡɛt/ (UK often /ɡɛt/, past /ɡɒt/; US /ɡɛt/, past /ɡɑːt/) verb

Definition

To receive, obtain, or come to have something; or to become or start being in a certain state.

Etymology

From Old Norse *geta* “to get, obtain, beget,” brought into English by Viking influence. It has grown into one of the most flexible verbs in English. Its meanings spread from physical receiving to mental understanding and change of state.

Kelly Says

‘Get’ is a tiny word that does huge amounts of work: get a book, get sick, get going, get it (understand). Its flexibility makes English sound natural but also tricky for learners, because the same word keeps changing costumes.

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