obtain Hear it!

obtain Definition

ob·tain (əb tān′)

transitive verb

  1. to get possession of, esp. by some effort; procure
  2. Archaic to arrive at; reach or achieve

Etymology: ME obteinen < OFr obtenir < L obtinere, to obtain, prevail, maintain < ob- (see ob-) + tenere, to hold: see tenant

intransitive verb

  1. to be in force or in effect; prevail a law that no longer obtains
  2. Archaic to succeed

obtain Related Forms

ob·tain′·able adjective ob·tain′er noun ob·tain′·ment noun

obtain Synonyms

obtain

v.

  1. To gain possession

    occupy, reach, invade, capture, recover, take, grab, accomplish, acquire, procure, get, force from, make use of, fetch and carry, bring out, bring back, bring forth, attain, gain, win, secure, achieve, glean, reap, retrieve, recover, collect, gather, earn, pick up, purchase, effect, receive, inherit, salvage, pocket, compass, realize, save, hoard, lay up, corral*, drum up*, scrape up, scrape together*, come by*, score*, nab*, gobble up*, get at*, get hold of*; beg, borrow*, or steal; see also seize 2.

    Antonyms give*, donate*, present. *

  2. Pertain

    be pertinent to, appertain to, bear upon; see concern 1.

obtain implies that there is effort or desire in the getting he has obtained aid; get is the word of broadest application meaning to come into possession of, with or without effort or volition to get a job, an idea, a headache, etc.; procure suggests active effort or contrivance in getting or bringing to pass to procure a settlement of the dispute; secure implies difficulty in obtaining something and perhaps in retaining it to secure a lasting peace; acquire implies a lengthy process in the getting and connotes collection or accretion he acquired a fine education; gain always implies effort in the getting of something advantageous or profitable to gain fame

obtain Usage Examples

Object

  • permission: We moved on a Saturday afternoon, my father having obtained permission to use his firm's lorry.
  • copy: Details of how to obtain printed copies of the report are found on the site.
  • consent: Subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents there is scope to extend the cottage further.
  • approval: Originally the ECR had obtained Parliamentary approval to raise the capital to build a railroad from London to Norwich via Ipswich.
  • certificate: We will have the right to close customer accounts and request alternative forms of payment if a fraudulently obtained gift certificate is suspected.
  • license: It was his responsibility to obtain the correct license which failed to do.

Preposition: on

prescription: You can buy them, but if you need them regularly they can be obtained on prescription.

Adjective complement

direct: The following story was obtained direct from a Glamorgan farmer.

Modifying Another Word

  • fraudulently: We will have the right to close customer accounts and request alternative forms of payment if a fraudulently obtained gift certificate is suspected.
  • prior: Back to Top Method Ethical permission for the study was obtained prior to commencement.

Used with why or when

when: Many existing mortgages were obtained when interest rates were very high.

Present participle complement

  • accord: Would auto insurance company rating charge quot discounts obtained according and work for avoidable accidents how.
  • use: The required parameters are obtained using the method of moments.

Preposition: in

advance: Tickets have to be obtained in advance from: Copped Hall Study Days, 26 Great Wheatley Road, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 7AP.

Preposition: from

  • source: Hill View House has used wooden Venetian blinds obtained from sustainable sources and roller blinds made from cotton.
  • holder: Authorisation to reproduce such material must be obtained from the copyright holders concerned.
  • provider: Violation of these rules could gravely harm the cooperation that GENUKI is obtaining from many information providers, and hence threaten its whole future.
  • office: Information on season tickets can be obtained from the control office located at each of the car parks.
  • library: A copy of the report may be obtained from the Library, but a charge will be made to cover photocopying and postage.
  • website: All of the new forms can be easily obtained from the website.