get back

verb

got back; got back or gotten back; getting back; gets back

intransitive verb

1

: to come or go again to a person, place, or condition : return, revert

getting back to the main topic of the lecture

2

: to gain revenge : retaliate

—usually used with at

transitive verb

: to regain possession of : recover

Synonyms

• re-collect
• reacquire
• recapture
• reclaim
• recoup
• recover
• regain
• repossess
• retake
• retrieve

Examples of get back in a Sentence

the distraught owner cried that she would do anything to get back her lost dog

Recent Examples on the Web

The Spartans also tried to get back to the basics, but that’s Niumatalolo’s dilemma. —Christian Vieyra, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024

Evans got back in the Corolla and the driver began taking him to the hospital. —Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2024

In a world of endless fashion inspiration and ever-changing trends, Emma Stone’s latest outfit just encouraged me to get back to basics. —Averi Baudler, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Rocky staggers in his corner like a drunken man trying to get back up on a barstool. —Brendan Leonard, Outside Online, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

get back

verb

1

: to return to a person, place, or condition

getting back to our first topic

2

: to get revenge

get back at him for the insult

3

: to regain possession of