get along

verb

got along; got along or gotten along; getting along; gets along

intransitive verb

1

a

: to proceed toward a destination : progress

b

: to approach an advanced stage

especially : to approach old age

2

: to meet one's needs : manage

we got along on a minimum of clothing

3

: to be or remain on congenial terms

Synonyms of get along

• cope
• do
• get by
• get on
• make out
• make ends meet
• manage

Examples of get along in a Sentence

most college students can get along with just a few hours of sleep at night

the preparations for the party are getting along just fine

Recent Examples on the Web

He is disillusioned by the inability of people -- most of whom have been through revolutions and discrimination themselves -- to get along. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026

Why can't you guys get along and do your job? —Anna Alejo, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026

Companion planting Growing plants that get along with each other is an easy and natural way to deter pests. —Lauren David, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026

Once in their preferred roles, the two got along reasonably well. —Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for get along

• evensong
• livelong
• overlong
• vietcong
• agung
• belong
• birdsong
• furlong
• headlong
• headstrong
• lifelong
• plainsong

Kids Definition

get along

verb

1

a

: progress

b

: to approach old age

getting along in years

2

: manage sense 4

get along on a small paycheck

3

: to be or remain on pleasant terms