What does obtained mean?
Obtained means that something has been acquired, received, or secured. The word commonly functions as the past participle of the verb obtain, especially in formal contexts: a researcher obtains approval, a company obtains permission, or a study obtains measurements from a source. It is also used as an adjective describing something acquired, such as “the obtained results,” although this construction is less common in everyday English. The word has a neutral, factual tone and is particularly frequent in academic, scientific, legal, and administrative prose. Speakers seeking a more conversational expression will often use “got” instead. Understanding obtained as a participial adjective also helps with compound phrases such as “an obtained signature” and “the obtained consent,” where the word indicates that the named thing has been secured rather than merely planned or requested.
adjectiveThat has been gotten, acquired, or brought into one's possession. It is commonly used as the past participle of “obtain.”
- Having gained possession of something or received something by purchase, effort, permission, or another process.
"She submitted the application and obtained permission to use the archives."
"The researchers obtained approval before beginning the trial."
"Anonymised data were obtained from several participating hospitals."
From Latin obtinere, literally “to hold onto,” obtained carries the idea of securing something that was previously unavailable.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does obtained come from?
Obtained is the past-participle form of obtain. Obtain came through Old French obtenir from Latin obtinere, a compound of ob- and tenere, meaning “to hold,” and ultimately conveys the sense of securing or taking possession of something. The form obtained became established in English as both a verbal participle and an adjective describing what has been acquired.
Related word forms
How obtained is actually used
“Obtained” is especially common in formal, academic, legal, and technical writing. It is normally used after a linking verb, as in “consent was obtained,” although it can also appear before a noun in phrases such as “the obtained results.” In everyday speech, “got” is often more natural.