DictionaryAI

gotta

verb
SayGOT-uh/ˈɡɑtə/UK/ˈɡɒtə/

2 meanings of gotta

Practice

  1. 1
    have toverbcolloquialabbreviationcontraction
    Short form of got to. Use it in casual speech when you must do something.

    I gotta finish my homework before dinner.

    We gotta leave now or we'll miss the bus.

    UsageUse a verb after it: I gotta go. In careful writing, use have to.

  2. 2
    have averbcolloquialabbreviationcontraction
    Short form of got a. Use it in casual speech to say someone has something.

    I gotta little brother named Sam.

    You gotta pen I can borrow?

    UsageBefore a thing, it means got a: I gotta pen.

    Note

Practice

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Origin

A short way of saying "got to".

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact