English Explanatory Dictionary

obtain

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To get hold of; to gain possession of, to procure; to acquire, in any way.
  2. To secure (that) a specific objective or state of affairs be reached.
  3. To prevail, be victorious; to succeed.
  4. To hold; to keep, possess or occupy.
  5. To exist or be the case; to hold true, be in force.

Pronunciation

/əbˈteɪn/ en-us-obtain.ogg

Word forms

obtain obtains obtaining obtained no-table-tags glossary obtainest obtainedst obtaineth obtein obteyn

Etymology

From Middle English obteinen, from Anglo-Norman obtenir, optiner et al., and Middle French obtenir, from Latin obtinēre (“to gain, achieve, succeed, possess”), from ob- + tenēre (“to hold”).

Synonyms

get gain acquire attain procure exact

Derived words

obtainability obtainable obtainance obtainer obtainment preobtain reobtain unobtainability unobtained
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