obtain meaning

obtain means 'to get or acquire something'.

obtain :

to get, to acquire

verb

▪ She obtained a copy of the report.

▪ She got a copy of the report.

▪ He obtained permission to enter.

▪ He got permission to enter.

paraphrasing

▪ acquire – to get

▪ get – to obtain

▪ secure – to obtain with effort

▪ procure – to obtain something officially

obtain

Pronunciation

obtain [əbˈteɪn]

The stress is on 'tain' and sounds like 'ob-tein'.

Common phrases and grammar about obtain

obtain - Common meaning

verb
to get, to acquire

Part of Speech Changes for "obtain"

▪ obtainable (adjective) – able to be obtained

▪ obtainer (noun) – someone who obtains something

▪ obtainment (noun) – act of obtaining

Common Expressions with "obtain"

▪ obtain a permit – get official permission

▪ obtain information – get details

▪ obtain a visa – get travel permission

▪ obtain approval – get acceptance


Important examples of obtain in TOEIC

Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test

In TOEIC word questions, obtain is used to mean 'to get or acquire something'.

▪She needs to obtain a new certificate for her job.
▪She needs to get a new certificate for her job.

Example of a confusing word: attain (to achieve)

▪She needs to attain a new certificate for her job.
▪She needs to achieve a new certificate for her job.
"Obtain" means "to get" or "acquire" something tangible or intangible, such as a certificate. It is used correctly in the sentence "She needs to obtain a new certificate for her job." "Attain," however, means "to achieve" and is typically used with goals or levels of success, not physical items like certificates. The sentence "She needs to attain a new certificate" is grammatically awkward because it suggests achieving a state rather than acquiring an item. Therefore, "obtain" is the correct choice.

Grammar examples from the TOEIC test

In TOEIC grammar questions, obtain is used as a verb and may require correct verb forms or objects.

▪They obtained the necessary documents for the application.
▪They got the necessary documents for the application.

obtain

Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC

obtain information

'get details', used when requesting data or details.

▪Please obtain information from the database.
▪Please get details from the database.

obtain access

'get permission to use or enter', used in systems and formal settings.

▪You need to obtain access to the secure area.
▪You need to get permission to enter the secure area.

Differences between similar words and obtain

obtain

,

acquire

differences

obtain is generally used in more formal contexts to mean getting or acquiring something, while acquire can also imply a more permanent gain or learning a skill.

obtain
▪She obtained the necessary documents.
▪She acquired the necessary documents.
acquire
▪obtain is used for getting documents through a process, while acquire might focus on gaining possession.

obtain

,

get

differences

obtain is more formal than get and often used in official contexts.

obtain
▪They obtained the required permits.
▪They got the required permits.
get
▪get – to receive or come into possession of something informally.
▪They got the required permits.

Words with the same origin as obtain

The origin of obtain

obtain comes from the Latin 'obtinere', which means 'to hold or possess'.

Word structure

The parts are: prefix 'ob' (toward), root 'tain' (hold), so obtain means 'to hold toward or get'.

Words with the same origin

The root of obtain is tain (hold). Words with the same root include maintain, retain, contain, sustain.

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