obtain
/əb'tein/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb (transitive):
- To get or acquire something, especially through effort or request: To come into possession of something, typically by taking action to receive it.
- To be established or accepted as valid: (Formal) To be in effect or prevail, as a rule or custom.
Verb (intransitive):
- (Formal) To be prevalent or customary: To exist or be in use.
Usage and Examples
Transitive verb (to get/acquire):
- She managed to obtain a copy of the rare book.
- You will need to obtain permission from the manager.
- The scientists obtained clear results from their experiment.
Intransitive verb / Formal use (to be in effect):
- Different laws obtain in different countries.
- The same conditions obtain for all applicants.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
"To obtain" vs. "to get": "Obtain" is more formal than "get." It often implies a deliberate effort or a formal process.
- I need to get some milk. (Informal)
- We must obtain the necessary permits. (Formal)
In academic or legal contexts: "Obtain" is frequently used to describe acquiring data, results, consent, or judgments.
- The study obtained ethical approval before proceeding.
- The prosecution obtained a conviction.
Variants and Related Words
Obtainable (adjective): Able to be obtained or acquired.
- Tickets are obtainable from the office.
Obtainment (noun): (Less common) The action of obtaining something.
- The obtainment of funding was crucial.
Synonyms
- Acquire: To gain possession of.
- Procure: To obtain something, especially with care or effort.
- Secure: To succeed in obtaining something, making it safe or certain.
- Attain: To succeed in achieving something after effort.
Antonyms
- Lose: To be deprived of or cease to have.
- Forfeit: To lose or be deprived of as a penalty.
- Relinquish: To voluntarily cease to keep or claim; to give up.
Phrases and Collocations
To obtain information/evidence/data: A common collocation in formal writing.
- The journalist worked to obtain information from confidential sources.
Easily/hardly obtainable: Describing the level of difficulty in acquiring something.
- This material is hardly obtainable now.
Notes on Usage
- Formality: "Obtain" is standard in formal, academic, professional, and legal writing. In everyday conversation, "get" is more common.
- Object: As a transitive verb, it almost always takes a direct object (you obtain ).
- Intransitive Use: The intransitive use (meaning "to be in effect") is now quite formal and less common in everyday speech.
Verb
- be valid, applicable, or true
- This theory still holds
- receive a specified treatment (abstract)
- These aspects of civilization do not find expression or receive an interpretation
- His movie received a good review
- I got nothing but trouble for my good intentions
- come into possession of
- How did you obtain the visa?