gotta

[ got-uh ]

Informal.

1. got to; have got to:

   I can’t stay—I gotta get up early tomorrow.

2. got a; have got a:

   Hey, man, gotta light?

gotta

/ ˈɡɒtə /

verb

1. got to

Usage Note

See get.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gotta¹

First recorded in 1885–90 in spelling gotter, representing the r-less British pronunciation of the phrase (have) got to or (have) got a in continuous rapid speech