Cool MateObtain vs Secure
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Obtain
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Secure
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Most common: Secure
| Obtain | Secure | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əbˈteɪn//🇺🇸 //əbˈteɪn// | 🇬🇧 /["/sɪˈkjʊə(r)/","/sɪˈkjʊəz/","/sɪˈkjʊəd/","/sɪˈkjʊərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/sɪˈkjʊr/","/sɪˈkjʊrz/","/sɪˈkjʊrd/","/sɪˈkjʊrɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To get or receive something. | To make safe or protect something. |
| Example | You need to obtain permission from the manager first. | We need to secure the doors before we leave for the night. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | obtain a degree, obtain funding, obtain information, obtain results, obtain consent | easily, safely, eventually, be able to, manage to, fail to, an attempt to secure something, an effort to secure something, be aimed at securing something, firmly, properly, tightly, to, with |
| Antonyms | lose, forfeit, surrender | danger, unsecure, risk |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'obtain' with 'get', which is less formal., Using 'obtain' incorrectly with intransitive forms., Incorrectly conjugating the verb in different tenses. | Confused with 'ensure' - 'ensure' means to make sure something happens., Using 'secured' as an adjective when it should be a verb., Misplacing the emphasis on the second syllable. |
| Usage notes | Used in formal and neutral contexts. Common in academic and professional language. Not typically used in casual conversation. | Used to indicate making something safe, but can also mean to obtain or achieve something. More common in formal contexts when referring to safety and in neutral situations for obtaining. |
Frequently asked questions: Obtain vs Secure
What's the difference between Obtain and Secure?
Obtain: To get or receive something. Secure: To make safe or protect something.
Which is more common: Obtain and Secure?
Secure is the most common in everyday English.
Are Obtain and Secure the same CEFR level?
Obtain: B2, Secure: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Obtain and Secure interchangeably?
Not always. Obtain and Secure are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.