obtain

verb

ob·​tain əb-ˈtān 

äb-

obtained; obtaining; obtains

transitive verb

: to gain or attain usually by planned action or effort

The information was difficult to obtain.

We obtained a copy of the original letter.

intransitive verb

1

: to be generally recognized or established : prevail

Those ideas no longer obtain for our generation.

a greater degree of free expression than usually obtains in film production

—Roger Manvell

2

archaic : succeed

obtainability

əb-ˌtā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

äb-

noun

obtainable

əb-ˈtā-nə-bəl 

äb-

adjective

obtainer noun

obtainment

əb-ˈtān-mənt 

äb-

noun

Did you know?

If you have difficulty choosing whether to use obtain or attain in a sentence, don’t worry, we get it. Both can mean “to get” or “to acquire,” and in some situations can be used synonymously, but one or the other might be more appropriate depending on what is being acquired and how. One clue is their respective etymologies: obtain comes to us via Anglo-French from the Latin verb obtinēre, meaning “to hold on to, possess,” while attain’s Anglo-French ancestor is ateindre, meaning “to reach” or “to accomplish.” Accordingly, obtain is usually the word used when you are acquiring, by planned effort, a tangible object—something you can hold. “We are having trouble obtaining the supplies we need” sounds natural, for example, while “Have you attained the sugar and flour I asked for?” does not. Reflecting its roots (and also implying effort), attain is often used in the same way as achieve, as in “After decades of hard work she attained her goal of earning a PhD.” Of course, one can also obtain intangible things, such as power or information, so consider this advice something to hold onto and consider when the moment arises—you needn’t cling to it.

Synonyms of obtain

• earn
• gain
• win
• reap
• garner
• get
• make
• attain
• acquire
• procure

Examples of obtain in a Sentence

The information may be difficult to obtain.

We obtained a copy of the original letter.

These ideas no longer obtain for our generation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Greylord was a watershed moment in its use of eavesdropping devices and a mole to obtain evidence instead of relying on wrongdoers to become government informants. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026

Trump has repeatedly indicated that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon outweighs concerns about rising consumer costs. —Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2026

Greg Brooks, the former chief financial officer at Location Ventures, said in the deposition that Kapoor obtained two private loans that totaled $12 million and were supposed to be for the Coconut Grove project. —Jay Weaver june 6, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026

Letting go of control to obtain a vision or fantasy and falling down the rabbit hole is freeing and dreamy — but only for the right person. —Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English obteinen, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French obtenir, from Latin obtinēre to hold on to, possess, obtain, from ob- in the way + tenēre to hold — more at thin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for obtain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

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Kids Definition

obtain

verb

ob·​tain əb-ˈtān 

äb-

1

: to gain or acquire usually by planning or effort

2

: to be generally recognized or established : prevail sense 3b

good manners obtained

obtainable

-ˈtā-nə-bəl 

adjective