get on

verb

got on; got on or gotten on; getting on; gets on

intransitive verb

1

: get along

was getting on in years

got on well with the boss

get on with the game

2

: to gain knowledge or understanding

got on to the racket

transitive verb

1

: to produce an unfortunate effect on : upset

the noise got on my nerves

2

: to criticize insistently

the fans got on him for losing the game

Synonyms of get on

• cope
• do
• get by
• get along
• make do
• make ends meet

Examples of get on in a Sentence

despite his new job's low pay, he was still getting on

find out how the marketing department is getting on with the new ad campaign

Recent Examples on the Web

The ladies all get on a yacht and are confronted with cardboard cutouts of them in their very first season. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

The cheeky beach bar, complete with its iconic VW car, serves up drinks, good vibes, and surf lessons for those keen to get on the waves. — Monica Mendal, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026

Travel Chin-Hong doesn’t dread getting on a plane or visiting a new part of the world. — Angela Haupt, Time, 10 Aug. 2026

The Kia peeled off north on Burr Street to Interstate 80, and then without warning, its driver made a right turn onto the I-80 westbound exit ramp and got on the expressway going the wrong way, state police said. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for get on

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Kids Definition

get on

verb

1

: get along sense 3

they got on well

2

: to start dealing with

I'll get on it right away

3

: to criticize (someone) repeatedly

4

: to grow old