Quick answer: Get is the everyday, informal word for receiving or acquiring something: I’ll get some milk on the way home. Obtain is formal and official, implying effort, a procedure, or that something is not easy to acquire: You must obtain a permit before starting work. For a fuller definition, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for ‘get’.
Comparison Table
| Word | Register | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| get | informal / neutral | acquire, receive, or come to have (everyday use) | Can you get me a coffee? |
| obtain | formal / official | acquire through effort, process, or official means | She obtained a degree in law. |
Using Get
Get is one of the most common verbs in English. It covers a huge range of meanings including acquiring, receiving, becoming, and understanding. In everyday speech and informal writing, get is the natural choice for any act of coming to have something.
I’ll get some bread from the shop.
She got a message from her manager.
Did you get my email?
He got a promotion last month.
Get in Phrasal Verbs and Idioms
Get forms dozens of phrasal verbs and idioms. Obtain cannot replace get in any of these fixed expressions.
get along with someone
get over an illness
get rid of something
get in touch with
Using Obtain
Obtain is the formal equivalent of get. It suggests that acquiring something requires effort, a formal process, official permission, or that it is not easily available. It is common in legal, academic, business, and official contexts.
Applicants must obtain clearance before entry.
The scientists obtained their results after months of testing.
You can obtain a copy from the council offices.
He obtained a first-class degree from Oxford.
Obtain in Formal Writing
Obtain is expected in formal reports, legal documents, academic essays, and official instructions. Using get in these contexts may sound too casual.
To obtain a visa, you must submit the following documents.
To get a visa, you must submit the following documents. (not wrong, but less formal)
The data were obtained from a sample of 500 participants.
The data were got from a sample of 500 participants. (unnatural in academic writing)
Register: Choosing the Right Word
The main difference is register (level of formality), not meaning. In everyday speech and informal writing, use get. In formal, official, or academic contexts, use obtain.
I need to get a prescription. (informal — speaking to a friend)
Patients must obtain a prescription from a registered GP. (formal — official guidance)
She got permission to leave early. (everyday)
She obtained written permission from the board. (formal/business)
Common Mistakes
✗ I need to obtain some milk.
✓ I need to get some milk.
Note: obtain sounds overly formal for everyday purchases or simple acts of acquiring.
✗ The results were got from an online survey.
✓ The results were obtained from an online survey.
Note: in academic writing, obtain is the expected verb for data, results, and findings.
✗ I need to obtain over my cold.
✓ I need to get over my cold.
Note: obtain never replaces get in phrasal verbs or idioms.
Also confusing: Acquire vs Obtain, Gain vs Earn. Browse all confusing word pairs →
Quick Check: Get or Obtain?
Four questions — choose the correct word for each context.
1. Academic paper: “The data were ___ from 300 respondents.”
2. Casual chat: “Did you ___ a birthday card for Mum?”
3. Official notice: “All contractors must ___ a security pass.”
4. Text message to a friend: “Can you ___ in touch with James?”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between get and obtain?
Both mean to come into possession of something, but get is informal and used in everyday speech and writing, while obtain is formal and official, typically used in academic, legal, or business contexts. Obtain also implies that some effort, process, or difficulty was involved in acquiring something.
Can obtain replace get in everyday speech?
Technically yes, but it will sound unnatural and overly formal. “I need to obtain some coffee” sounds odd in casual conversation. Reserve obtain for formal contexts where the acquisition involves a process, permission, or official procedure.
When should I use obtain instead of get?
Use obtain in academic writing, legal documents, official instructions, and business reports. Common collocations include: obtain a licence, obtain permission, obtain a degree, obtain results, obtain funding, obtain approval. In these contexts, obtain sounds professional and precise.
Is obtain more formal than get?
Yes. Obtain is considerably more formal. The difference is similar to that between “buy” and “purchase,” or “use” and “utilise.” In IELTS or academic English, obtain is preferred in formal writing tasks.
Does obtain imply effort or difficulty?
Yes, often. Obtain suggests that acquiring something required going through a process, making effort, or that the thing was not freely or easily available. “She obtained a scholarship” implies competition and effort, more than “she got a scholarship” does.
Can get be used in formal writing?
Generally, no. In academic essays, reports, and formal documents, obtain, receive, or acquire are preferred. Get is considered too informal for formal written English. However, get is perfectly acceptable in semi-formal emails and everyday professional communication.
What are common collocations with obtain?
Common formal collocations include: obtain permission, obtain a visa, obtain a licence, obtain funding, obtain results, obtain approval, obtain a degree, obtain consent, obtain information. These all involve a formal process or official context.
Can obtain be used as a noun?
No. Obtain is a verb only. The related noun is obtainment (rare) or, more commonly, acquisition. Get also has no standard noun form in this meaning; instead, use acquisition, receipt, or attainment depending on the context.
Is “obtainable” a word?
Yes. Obtainable is an adjective meaning “able to be obtained”: “The report is obtainable from the library.” The equivalent informal phrasing would be “available” or “you can get it.”
How do get and obtain compare with acquire?
Acquire sits between get and obtain in formality. Like obtain, it suggests gaining something over time or through effort, but it is slightly less official: “acquire a skill,” “acquire property.” Get is the most informal, obtain the most formal, and acquire is somewhere in between.