gotta

American  

[got-uh] / ˈgɒt ə /

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?

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gotta British  

/ ˈɡɒtə /

verb

1. got to

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Usage

See get.

Etymology

Origin of gotta

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

Example Sentences

“Yeah, and I’m telling you, it’s not the same without you. Alicia thinks so, too. You gotta find a way to get back to it.”

From Literature

“The teachers yell at us for it all the time, but we’re like, if it’s gotta come off, it’s gotta come off. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

From Literature

“I gotta wonder, what is it gonna matter to me? Because I can see what the original report says. I can see what we put out to the public. I can see where the original report and the public report aim to fix the same thing,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

“We don’t like when he runs,” said Mendoza’s father, Fernando Sr. “But, he’s gotta do what he’s gotta do.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“And I’ve been down there for a decent amount, and then they hold me accountable and they push me and then they keep me sharp for moments when I am called upon. And you just gotta be ready whenever your number’s called.”

From Los Angeles Times