go

1 of 4

verb

ˈgō 

went ˈwent  ; gone ˈgȯn 

 also  ˈgän

; going ˈgō-iŋ 

ˈgȯ(-)iŋ;

 "going to" in sense 13 is often  ˈgō-ə-nə,

 or  ˈgȯ-nə,

or

ˈgə-nə  ; goes ˈgōz 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to move or travel in a particular way or direction or for a particular distance

You need to go slow.

went by train

Go straight at the intersection.

went a long way to see them

—often used figuratively

He'll go far in life. He's going places. [=he'll be successful]

We've done a lot, but we still have a long way to go. [=we have a lot more to do]

These changes will go a long way toward fixing the problem.

Now that phase one is done, where do we go from here? [=what do we do now?]

Their relationship doesn't seem to be going anywhere. [=is not progressing]

This time you've gone too far! [=you've done something that cannot be allowed]

It's raining. There goes our picnic. [=our picnic is no longer possible]

We'll use this procedure going forward. [=from now on]

see also go down, go up compare stop

b

: to move or travel to a place especially for a particular purpose

goes to the office every morning

went to a movie

went to the gas station before heading home

I may go to see them.

c

: to travel to and stay in a place for a period of time

went to Paris for a month

plan to go to their beach house for the summer

d

: to do something that involves or implies moving or traveling to a place

They went running when they heard the noise.

go for a swim

—often used with on

going on vacation

went on a crime spree

2

a

: to move out of or away from a place expressed or implied : leave, depart

went from school to the party

going away for vacation

It's late. We need to go.

b

: to leave a job, position, etc.

After 30 years at the company, she was ready to go.

3

a

: to take a certain course or follow a certain procedure

Reports go through channels to the president.

b

: to pass by means of a process like journeying

The message went by email.

c

: to proceed without delay and often in a thoughtless or reckless manner

—used especially to intensify a complementary verb

Why did you go and spoil it?

go jump in a lake

d(1)

: to extend from point to point or in a certain direction

The road goes to the lake.

(2)

: to give access : lead

That door goes to the cellar.

4

obsolete : walk

5

: to be habitually in a certain state or condition

goes barefoot in the summer

6

a

: to become lost, consumed, or spent

I don't know where the money goes.

b

: die

We all have to go sometime.

c

: to slip away : elapse

The evening went quickly.

d

: to come to be given up or discarded

decided to let the matter go

This clutter has to go.

e(1)

: to pass by sale

went for a good price

(2)

: to be willing to pay

I'll go as high as $100.

f

: to become impaired or weakened

His hearing is starting to go

g

: to give way especially under great force or pressure : break

The roof went under the weight of the snow.

7

a

: to happen in a specified manner : fare

Everything was going well till now.

b

: to be in general or on an average

cheap, as yachts go

c

: to be or become especially as the result of a contest, election, decision, etc.

The election went in her favor.

The verdict went against them.

d

: to turn out in a particular way

The party went as planned.

8

a

: to apply oneself

went to work on the problem

b

: to put or subject oneself

Don't go to any trouble/expense.

c

chiefly Southern US and Midland US : intend

I didn't go to do it.

9

a

: to have recourse to another for corroboration, vindication, or decision : resort

went to court to recover damages

b

: to act in agreement or cooperation

… the echo of my girlfriend's voice comes into my head, saying, "Whatever happens, just go with it."

—Jason Schwartzman

10

a

: to begin an action or motion

Here goes!

b

: to maintain or perform a certain action or motion

still going strong

Can you go like this with your eyebrows? [=can you move your eyebrows like this?]

c

: to function in the proper or expected manner : run

I can't get the car to go.

11

a

: to come to be determined

… hanging and wiving goes by destiny.

—William Shakespeare

b

: to come to be applied or appropriated

All proceeds go to charity.

c

: to pass by award, assignment, or lot

The prize went to a sophomore.

d(1)

: to contribute to an end or result

qualities that go to make a hero

(2)

: to be of advantage

has a lot going for her

12

: to be about, intending, or expecting something

—used in a progressive tense before an infinitive

is going to leave town

13

a

: extend

His knowledge fails to go very deep.

b

: to come or arrive at a certain state or condition

go to sleep

" … I finally went to pieces and couldn't stop crying for two hours. … "

—Gwendoline Christie

see also go into sense 2

c

: to come to be : become

The tire went flat.

—often used to express conversion to specified values or a specified state

a hometown kid gone Hollywood

go condo

d

: to undergo a change

leaves going from green to red

14

a

: to be in phrasing or expression : read

as the story goes

b

: to be capable of being sung or played

a tune that goes like this

15

: to be compatible, suitable, or becoming : harmonize

That tie goes with his suit.

16

a

: to be capable of passing, extending, or being contained or inserted

Will these clothes go in your suitcase?

b

: to have a usual or proper place or position : belong

These books go on the top shelf.

17

: to have a tendency : conduce

it goes to show

18

a

: to carry authority

What she says goes.

b

: to be acceptable, satisfactory, or adequate

Anything goes around here

19

: to empty the bladder or bowels

transitive verb

1

: to proceed along or according to : follow

if I were going his way

went the conventional route

—often used figuratively

He has always gone his own way. [=done what he wants to do instead of what most people do]

2

: to travel through or along : traverse

went the length of the street

3

a

: to make a wager of : bet

go a dollar on the outcome

b

: to make an offer of : bid

willing to go $50 for the clock

4

a

: to assume the function or obligation of

promised to go bail for his friend

b

: to participate to the extent of

decided to go halves on the winnings

5

: yield, weigh

This fish goes ten pounds.

6

a

: to put up with : tolerate

couldn't go the noise

b

: afford

can't go the price

c

: enjoy

I could go a soda.

see also go for

7

a

: to make (a characteristic sound)

The gun went bang.

b

: say

—used chiefly in oral narration of speech

… I started trying to write a novel. I spent about six months on it. And at a certain point I go, "You know, I don't want to finish this. …"

—Quentin Tarantino

8

informal : to engage in

Don't go telling everyone.

He went blabbing the news everywhere.

9

of a sports team or player : to have a record of

went 11–0 last season

goer

ˈgō-ər 

noun

see also to go

go

2 of 4

noun (1)

ˈgō 

plural goes

1

: the act or manner of going

2

: the height of fashion : rage

new trends that are quite the go

3

: an often unexpected turn of affairs : occurrence

"Funniest go you ever did see," he said …

—Ngaio Marsh

4

: the quantity used or furnished at one time

"Take a go of brandy, and you'll be all right," said Harry …

—Charles James Lever

5

chiefly British, informal : energy, vigor

6

a

: a turn in an activity (such as a game)

It's your go.

b

: attempt, try

have a go at painting

After thinking about writing a memoir for years, he's finally decided to give it a go.

7

chiefly British : a spell of activity

finished the job at one go

8

: success

made a go of the business

9

: permission to proceed : go-ahead

My boss gave the project a go.

see also go-no-go

go

3 of 4

adjective

: functioning properly : being in good and ready condition

declared all systems go

go

4 of 4

noun (2)

variants often Go

: a game played between two players who alternately place black and white stones on a board checkered by 19 vertical lines and 19 horizontal lines in an attempt to enclose the larger area on the board

Phrases

go about

: to set about : to begin to do

go after

: to try to get : seek

go all the way

1

: to enter into complete agreement

2

: to engage in sexual intercourse

go as

: to appear in the disguise of

What are you going as for Halloween?

go at

1

a

: to make an attack on

b

: to make an approach to

went at the problem from different angles

2

: undertake

go before

1

: to happen or exist at an earlier time

pay respects to those who went before us

2

: to be considered by for a decision or judgment

goes before the court tomorrow

go begging

: to be in little demand

go by the board

1

: to be carried over a ship's side

2

: to be discarded

Budget cuts meant that some projects had to go by the board.

go easy

: to be sparing

Go easy with the sugar.

Go easy on the kid.

go fly a kite

: to stop being an annoyance or disturbance

told him to go fly a kite

go for broke

: to put forth all one's strength or resources

went for broke to qualify for the Olympics

go great guns

: to achieve great success

The movie was going great guns worldwide.

go hang

: to cease to be of interest or concern

go it

1

: to behave in a reckless, excited, or impromptu manner

2

: to proceed in a rapid or furious manner

3

: to conduct one's affairs : act

insists on going it alone

go missing

chiefly British : to become lost : disappear

go one better

: outdo, surpass

go places

: to be on the way to success

go public

: to make a public disclosure

go steady

: to date one person exclusively and frequently

go to bat for

: to give active support or assistance to : defend, champion

go to bed with

: to have sexual intercourse with

go to one's head

1

: to cause one to become confused, excited, or dizzy

The wine went to his head.

2

: to cause one to become conceited or overconfident

Fame went to her head.

go to pieces

: to become shattered (as in nerves or health)

go to the mat

: to make an all-out combative effort (as in support of a position)

go to town

1

: to work or act rapidly or efficiently

They went to town on decorating the building.

2

: to be markedly successful

The team really went to town, winning 14–0.

3

: to indulge oneself excessively

He went to town on a big platter of nachos.

go with

1

: date

2

: choose sense 2

went with an iron off the tee

go without

: to live or continue without having (something)

going without sleep

couldn't afford a car and had to go without

go without saying

: to be self-evident

go with the flow

: conform sense 2b

no go

: to no avail : useless

Attempts to get the computer running have been no go.

on the go

: constantly or restlessly active

a student and athlete who's always on the go

Synonyms of go

Verb

• proceed
• do
• come
• progress
• march

Noun (1)

• trend
• latest
• craze
• rage
• vogue
• enthusiasm
• style

Adjective

• ready
• prepared

Examples of go in a Sentence

Verb

He went to the window and looked out at the yard.

She goes to the office every morning and comes home in the evening.

I'm tired. Let's go home.

She went downstairs to the kitchen.

The train goes from New York to Chicago.

I went with my family to Rome last year.

We're going to Iowa for a week.

The car was going too fast.

How much farther do we have to go?

She went a long way to see him.

Noun (1)

snowboarding is all the go

a healthy six-year-old full of go

it took several goes to get the car started

a young executive with the go to make this company grow

Adjective

all systems are go

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Made from a lightweight knit, the pullover is easy to throw on and go and pairs well with everything from jeans to trousers. —Melony Forcier, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025

This Kentucky favorite made the list At Hermitage Farm, 10500 US-42 in Goshen, guests are invited to visit with horses, learn about how bourbon goes from seeds to sipping, and enjoy homegrown produce at the restaurant and the Hermitage Farm Store. —Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025

Noun

There are assorted grab-and-go options throughout the stadium as well. —Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025

Saito is attempting to thru-hike, meaning to hike the entire trail in one go. —Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025

Adjective

If the Cowboys opt for the poison preferred recently by Carolina, Evans — Tampa Bay’s career receiving yardage leader — could conduct a go-route clinic. —Joey Knight, Dallas News, 14 Jan. 2023

This is my new go-spring treat for sunny afternoons and porch-chair traveling. —Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Apr. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Verb, Noun (1), and Adjective

Middle English gon, from Old English gān; akin to Old High German gān to go, Greek kichanein to reach, attain

Noun (2)

Japanese

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

1635, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1961, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1840, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing go

• a-go-go
• all go
• a ways to go
• a way to go
• can't go wrong with
• come and go
• come/go crawling to
• come/go on the air
• come/go to the rescue of
• could go for
• do/go the rounds
• easy come, easy go
• enough/plenty to go around
• enough/plenty to go round
• from the get-go
• from the word go
• get-go
• get/go back to nature
• get/go back to (the) basics
• (get) ready, (get) set, go
• get-up-and-go
• git-go
• give-and-go
• give it a go
• given the go-ahead
• go about one's business
• go about one's work
• go a bundle on
• go according to schedule
• go after someone's scalp
• go against
• go against her parents' will
• go against someone's grain
• go against someone's wishes
• go against the flow
• go against the grain
• go-ahead
• go ahead with (something)
• go all in
• go all out
• go along
• go a long way
• go a long way toward/towards
• go along with
• go anywhere
• go ape
• go around
• go as
• go at it
• go away
• go back
• go back a long way
• go back on one's promise
• go back on one's word
• go back to
• go back to square one
• go back to the drawing board
• go bad
• go bag
• go bald
• go ballistic
• go bankrupt
• go bathing
• go beast mode
• go belly-up
• go berserk
• go-between
• go beyond
• go blank
• go blind
• go blue
• go broke
• go bust
• go by
• go bye-bye
• go bye-byes
• go-cart
• go club-hopping
• go commando
• go crazy
• go crook
• go cup
• go dark
• go dead
• go deaf
• go-devil
• go down
• go down in history
• go down/like a bomb
• go down like a lead balloon
• go down on
• go down the aisle
• go down the tubes
• go down to defeat
• go down with
• go Dutch
• go easy on
• go either way
• go ex-directory
• go-fer
• go figure
• go flying
• go for a burton
• go for a wander
• go for naught
• go for the brass ring
• go for the jugular
• go forward
• go from strength to strength
• go-getter
• go-go
• go gold
• go grocery shopping
• go half and half
• go halves
• go heavy on
• go hog wild
• go hungry
• go in
• go in for
• going bananas
• going out of my mind
• going out of my mind with worry
• go in on
• go insane
• go into conniptions
• go into detail
• go into hiding
• go into hysterics
• go into mourning
• go into politics
• go into production
• go into remission
• go into service
• go in with
• go it alone
• (go) jump in a/the lake
• go kablooey
• go kablooie
• go kaboom
• go kaput
• go-kart
• go kerblooey
• go legit
• go light on
• go live
• go mad
• go mano a mano
• go/move upmarket
• go/move upscale
• go native
• go no further
• go-no-go
• go nowhere
• go nuclear
• go number one
• go nuts
• good to go
• go off
• go off at half cock
• go off half-cocked
• go off on a tangent
• go off the air
• go off the deep end
• go off the rails
• go off with
• go on
• go on at
• go on display
• go one's own way
• go on hiatus
• go on one's merry way
• go on public assistance
• go on the attack
• go on the stage
• go our/their/your several ways
• go out
• go out of existence
• go out of one's way
• go out of production
• go out of use
• go out the window
• go out with a bang
• go over big
• go overboard
• go over like a lead balloon
• go over someone's head
• go over/through (something) with a fine-tooth comb
• go pear-shaped
• go phut
• go pit-a-pat
• go pitter-patter
• go platinum
• go postal
• go potty
• go rogue
• go-round
• go/run through someone's mind
• go separate ways
• go septic
• go shooting
• go shopping
• go-slow
• go so far
• go someone's way
• go spare
• go stag
• go stale
• go straight
• go strong
• go/swim with/against the tide
• go take a hike
• go/take the traditional route
• go the distance
• go the extra mile
• go there
• go the way of all flesh
• go (the) whole hog
• go through a rough time
• go through one's paces
• go through the ceiling
• go through the motions
• go through the roof
• go through with
• go to
• go to any length(s)
• go to bat
• go to bed
• go to church
• go to court
• go to extreme/great lengths
• go together
• go to great pains
• go to hell
• go to hell in a handbasket
• go to law
• go too far
• go to (one's) glory
• go to one's grave
• go to pot
• go to press
• go to print
• go to rack and ruin
• go to sea
• go to seed
• go to show/prove
• go to sleep
• go to temple
• go to the bathroom
• go to the cinema
• go to the country
• go to the devil
• go to (the) expense
• go to the stake for/over
• go to the toilet
• go to the wall
• go to trouble
• go to university
• go to war
• go toward(s)
• go to waste
• go under
• go underground
• go under the knife
• go unheard
• go unheeded
• go up
• go up in flames
• go up in smoke
• go walkabout
• go walking
• go way back
• go wee-wee
• go where others fear to tread
• go with a swing
• go with the crowd
• go with the territory
• go wrong
• happy-go-lucky
• have a go
• have a go at
• have (got) to go
• here we go
• hide-and-go-seek
• in/at one go
• let go
• let go of
• let it go
• let it go at that
• let oneself go
• let's go
• make a go of
• merry-go-round
• no go
• no-go area
• not come/go amiss
• on the go
• pay-as-you-go
• pick up and leave/go
• ready, steady, go
• received/got the go-ahead
• stop-and-go
• stop-go
• Sunday-go-to-meeting
• the go-ahead
• (there) but for the grace of God (go I)
• there go/goes
• there you are/go
• the show must go on
• to go
• to go on
• touch and go
• way to go
• worth a go

Rhymes for go

• beau
• beaux
• blow
• boe
• bro
• coe
• crow
• doe
• doh
• dough
• eau
• eaux

Kids Definition

go

1 of 3 verb

ˈgō 

went ˈwent  ; gone ˈgȯn 

 also  ˈgän

; going ˈgō-iŋ  ; goes ˈgōz 

1

: to move on a course : proceed

go slow

go by train

2

a

: to move away from one point to or toward another : leave, depart

b

: follow entry 1 sense 4, traverse

go the whole route

go my way

3

a

: to pass by a process like journeying

the message went by wire

the prize went to the winner

b

: extend sense 4, run

our land goes to the river

c

: lead entry 1 sense 1d

that door goes to the cellar

4

: to be habitually in a certain state

goes bareheaded

5

a

: to become lost, consumed, or spent

funds going for research

b

: to slip away : elapse

where did the time go

c

: to pass by sale

went for a good price

d

: to become damaged or weakened

my hearing started to go

e

: to give way under force or pressure : break

the dam went

6

a

: to be in general or on an average

cheap, as yachts go

b

: to become especially as the result of a contest

decision went against us

7

: to put or subject oneself

go to great expense

8

: to make use of to settle a dispute : resort

go to court to recover damages

9

a

: to begin or continue an action or motion

go when the light turns

drums going strong

b

: to function properly

get the motor to go

10

: to be known

goes by a nickname

11

: to be or act in agreement

a good rule to go by

12

: to contribute to a result

qualities that go to make a hero

13

a

: to be about, intending, or expecting

is going to leave town

b

: to come or arrive at a certain state or condition

go to sleep

c

: to come to be

the tire went flat

14

a

: to be able to be placed

these clothes will go in your suitcase

b

: to have a usual or proper place

these books go on the top shelf

c

: to be capable of being contained in another quantity

5 goes into 60 12 times

15

: to be likely : tend

goes to show they can be trusted

16

: to be acceptable or satisfactory

any kind of dress goes

17

: bet entry 2 sense 1, bid

willing to go $50

18

a

: to be as expressed

as the story goes

b

: to be capable of being sung or played

the tune goes like this

goer noun

go

2 of 3 noun

plural goes

1

: the height of fashion

that dress is all the go

2

: energy sense 1, vigor

full of go

3

a

: attempt entry 2 sense 1, try

have a go at it

b

: a spell of activity

did it in one go

c

: success sense 1c

make a go of a business

go

3 of 3 adjective

: in good and ready condition

all systems are go