Word
obtain
Phoneticsob·tain, stress on the second syllable
US/əbˈteɪn/
UK/ɒbtˈeɪn/
Definitions
01to get or acquire
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. to get something, especially by making an effort or following a process.
v. to acquire or procure something through effort, request, or formal procedure. Transitive — requires a direct object.
日本語:手に入れる※
“You must obtain a permit from the city before you start building the fence.”
“The researchers struggled to obtain the necessary data from the government, as the files were still classified for security reasons.”
Usage
Often used in administrative, legal, or academic contexts rather than casual conversation.
02to be true or in effect
C1 · Advanced Formal · Academic
v. to exist or be the situation that is currently happening.
v. to be prevalent, customary, or in force; to hold true in a specific context. Intransitive — does not take a direct object.
“The same strict rules obtain in this office as they did twenty years ago.”
“Economists are debating whether these market conditions still obtain in a digital economy where traditional borders no longer limit trade.”
Usage
This sense is always intransitive and typically appears in academic or philosophical writing.
Teaching tip
This sense is much rarer than the 'to get' sense; learners should recognize it in formal texts but may prefer 'apply' or 'exist' in their own writing.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “obtain” in context.
Verb
01. easily obtain
“In the digital age, one can easily obtain answers to almost any question online.”
adv + verb
02. obtain by
“The necessary permits can be obtained by submitting an application online.”
verb + prep
03. obtain data
“Researchers need to obtain data from several sources before publishing their findings.”
verb + noun
04. obtain from
“Further details can be obtained from the company's annual report.”
verb + prep
05. obtain information
“You can obtain information about the new course at the student services desk.”
verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“She obtained a court order preventing Berry-Dee from removing their children from her care.” “He also said that Australia supports the aim of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.” Etymology
From Middle English obteinen, from Anglo-Norman obtenir, optiner et al., and Middle French obtenir, from Latin obtinēre (“to gain, achieve, succeed, possess”), from ob- + tenēre (“to hold”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/obtain
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0