Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

got

American  
[got] / gɒt /

verb

  1. a simple past tense and past participle of get.


auxiliary verb

  1. Informal. must; have got (followed by an infinitive).

got British  
/ ɡɒt /

verb

  1. the past tense and past participle of get

    1. to possess

      he has got three apples

    2. (takes an infinitive) used as an auxiliary to express compulsion felt to be imposed by or upon the speaker

      I've got to get a new coat

  2. informal to be infatuated

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

See get.

Compare meaning

How does got compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I’m very nervous…. I’ve got skin in the game here.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

"Romero's probably the one player who has got a bit of character in that team, a bit of grit and determination," said Foster, a pundit on Sunday's Match of the Day.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Born May 22, 1938, in London, Nolan got his start on the stage, training at the Drama Centre London.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

That’s the smaller dinosaur that’s got the big, colorful frills on the side of its head.

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026

I was not even a little surprised at the stack of linens and clothes on the couch when I got home from my summer job at Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith