Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

1. be valid, applicable, or true
   • This theory still holds
2. 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
3. come into possession of
   • How did you obtain the visa?