What does "getting" mean?

1. (obtaining or receiving) the act of receiving, buying, or obtaining something. 2. (becoming) changing into a new state or feeling. 3. (arriving or moving) moving toward or arriving at a place. 4. (understanding) starting to understand a joke, a concept, or a person. 5. (the act of obtaining) the act of getting or collecting something.

How do you use "getting"?

Often used in continuous tenses to describe a process of acquisition. Followed by an adjective to show a gradual change. Often appears in the structure 'the getting of [noun]'.

getting

v. · n.

US //ˈɡɛtɪŋ// UK //ɡˈɛtɪŋ// get·ting

1 obtaining or receiving (v.)
A1 Beginner

the act of receiving, buying, or obtaining something.

the present participle of 'get' in the sense of acquiring, receiving, or purchasing something.

Example

I am getting a new phone for my birthday next week.

Example

The company is currently getting a lot of negative feedback regarding their recent change in privacy policy.

Usage

Often used in continuous tenses to describe a process of acquisition.
- giving
- losing
2 becoming (v.)
A1 Beginner

changing into a new state or feeling.

the present participle of 'get' used as a linking verb to describe a transition or change in state.

Example

It is getting dark outside, so we should head home.

Example

The situation is getting increasingly complicated as more stakeholders voice their concerns about the budget.

Usage

Followed by an adjective to show a gradual change.
- becoming
- turning
- staying
- remaining

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3 arriving or moving (v.)
A2 Elementary

moving toward or arriving at a place.

the present participle of 'get' indicating movement toward a destination or reaching a specific location.

Example

We are finally getting to the hotel after a long flight.

Example

Getting to the remote village requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle and several hours of careful navigation through the mountains.
- arriving
- reaching
- leaving
- departing
4 understanding (v.)
B1 Intermediate Informal

starting to understand a joke, a concept, or a person.

the present participle of 'get' used informally to describe the process of comprehending or grasping a concept.

Example

I think I am finally getting the hang of this new software.

Example

After several explanations, the students were finally getting the point of the complex mathematical theorem.
- understanding
- grasping
- comprehending
- misunderstanding
5 the act of obtaining (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the act of getting or collecting something.

the act of obtaining or acquiring; used as a gerund or verbal noun.

Example

The getting of wisdom is a lifelong process.

Example

The aggressive getting of market share became the firm's primary objective during the fiscal year.

Usage

Often appears in the structure 'the getting of [noun]'.
- acquisition
- attainment