Obtain
To gain possession of something, often through effort, work, or a formal process.
verbObtain
To gain possession of something, often through effort, work, or a formal process.
verbImagine This
Imagine you’ve saved up for a new laptop. After weeks of budgeting and researching, you finally obtain the exact model you want and hold it in your hands.
Sounds Like
uhb-TAIN
Looks Like
attain (visually similar; both end with -tain and relate to reaching or acquiring)
Remember This
Obtain is more formal than get and is commonly used with permissions, data, information, or items acquired through effort or an official process.
Other Forms
Connect With
acquire, gain, procure, attain, secure
Note
Use obtain with concrete objects or information (e.g., obtain a permit, obtain data). It is typically transitive (you obtain something). Distinguish from synonyms like 'get' or 'acquire' in nuance; obtain emphasizes the process of gaining possession, often through effort or approval.