Gotten Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ฆ
gotten
[หษกษห.tษn ]
Definitions
past participle
Gotten is the past participle of the verb 'get'. It is primarily used in American English. It implies the act of receiving, acquiring, or achieving something.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- I have gotten a promotion at work.
- She has gotten better at playing the guitar.
- They have gotten all the information they need.
informal use
In informal contexts, 'gotten' can also imply having become or changed into a particular state. This usage is colloquial and often heard in conversational American English.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- It's gotten really cold outside.
- Things have gotten complicated between us.
- I have gotten used to the new routine.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Pop Culture
- The word is famously utilized in the title of the iconic song 'Youโve Got a Friend in Me' by Randy Newman from Toy Story.
- In popular media, 'gotten' often appears in dialogues, showcasing a casual or friendly tone in storytelling.
- 'Gotten' has also sparked discussions among language experts about its acceptability in formal writing versus conversational contexts.
Linguistics
- 'Gotten' illustrates a phenomenon known as 'past participle variation' found in many languages, where a word can transform its form in different regions.
- It is a notable example of how language evolves, with some terms being more accepted in spoken forms than in written ones.
- In dialectical variations, the use of 'gotten' can indicate a speaker's regional background or education level.
Psychology
- Using 'gotten' can evoke feelings of familiarity, suggesting personal connections or experiences related to receiving something.
- Language researchers have found that words like 'gotten' can affect social perceptions, influencing how people view communication styles.
- Psycholinguistics study the ways people process words like 'gotten', revealing the cognitive mechanisms behind learning language.
Literature
- Famous authors like Mark Twain and Robert Louis Stevenson used 'gotten' in their writings, showcasing its historical presence in English literature.
- The word appears in various literary genres, contributing to character development through regional accents or social context.
- In contemporary literature, 'gotten' often lends a relaxed, conversational quality to dialogue, aligning with modern-day speech.
Origin of 'gotten'
Main points about word origin
- 'Gotten' is the past participle of 'get', which comes from Old English, meaning to obtain or become.
- The term has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word 'gahtwล', linking back to ancient Germanic languages.
- In American English, 'gotten' is commonly used, whereas British English favors 'got'.
The word 'gotten' is derived from the Middle English term 'gatten', which is a variant of the verb 'get', originating from the Old English 'gietan' meaning 'to obtain' or 'to reach'. The usage of 'gotten' as the past participle became particularly prevalent in American English after the divergence of British and American English. In British English, 'got' is more commonly preferred as the past participle. Over time, 'gotten' has expanded in its meanings and uses within American dialects, encompassing various implications such as 'to become' and 'to change'. Its frequent application in informal and everyday speech reflects its evolution and the adaptability of the English language itself.