# go

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɡoʊ/ · frequency rank #98

## Definitions
1. To move, either physically or in an abstract sense:
2. To move, either physically or in an abstract sense:
3. To move, either physically or in an abstract sense:
4. To move, either physically or in an abstract sense:
5. To move, either physically or in an abstract sense:
6. To move, either physically or in an abstract sense:
7. To move, either physically or in an abstract sense:
8. To move, either physically or in an abstract sense:
9. To move, either physically or in an abstract sense:
10. To work or function (properly); to move or perform (as required).
11. To start; to begin (an action or process).
12. To take a turn, especially in a game.
13. To attend.
14. To proceed:
15. To proceed:
16. To extend along.
17. To extend (from one point in time or space to another).
18. To lead (to a place); to give access (to).
19. To become, move to or come to (a state, position, situation)
20. To become, move to or come to (a state, position, situation)
21. To become, move to or come to (a state, position, situation)
22. To assume the obligation or function of; to be, to serve as.
23. To continuously or habitually be in a state.
24. To turn out, to result; to come to (a certain result).
25. To tend (toward a result)
26. To contribute to a (specified) end product or result.
27. To pass, to be used up:
28. To pass, to be used up:
29. To pass, to be used up:
30. To die.
31. To be lost or out:
32. To be lost or out:
33. To break down or apart:
34. To break down or apart:
35. To be sold.
36. To be discarded or disposed of.
37. To be given, especially to be assigned or allotted.
38. To survive or get by; to last or persist for a stated length of time.
39. To have a certain record.
40. To be authoritative, accepted, or valid:
41. To be authoritative, accepted, or valid:
42. To be authoritative, accepted, or valid:
43. To say (something), to make a sound:
44. To say (something), to make a sound:
45. To say (something), to make a sound:
46. To be expressed or composed (a certain way).
47. To resort (to).
48. To apply or subject oneself to:
49. To apply or subject oneself to:
50. To apply or subject oneself to:
51. To fit (in a place, or together with something):
52. To fit (in a place, or together with something):
53. To fit (in a place, or together with something):
54. To fit (in a place, or together with something):
55. To date.
56. To (begin to) date or have sex with (a particular race).
57. To attack:
58. To attack:
59. To attack:
60. Used to express how some category of things generally is, as a reference for, contrast to, or comparison with, a particular example.
61. To take (a particular part or share); to participate in to the extent of.
62. To yield or weigh.
63. To offer, bid or bet an amount; to pay; to sell for.
64. To enjoy. (Compare go for.)
65. To go to the toilet; to urinate or defecate.
66. Expressing encouragement or approval.
67. Clipping of go to the.
68. To fight, usually with the fists.
69. To pass (a specified time) in gestation; to be pregnant.

## Etymology
From Middle English gon, goon, from Old English gān (“to go”), from Proto-West Germanic *gān, from Proto-Germanic *gāną (“to go”), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰeh₁- (“to leave”).
The inherited past tense form yode (compare Old English ēode) was replaced through suppletion in the 15th century by went, from Old English wendan (“to go, depart, wend”).
cognates and related terms
Cognate with Scots gae, gan, gang, ging, gyang (“to go”), Yola go, goe, goeth, gow (“to go”), West Frisian gean (“to go”), Alemannic German gaa, go (“to go, walk, step”), Bavarian geh (“to go”), Cimbrian ghéenan, gian (“to go”), Dutch gaan (“to go”), Dutch Low Saxon gan, gaon (“to go”), German gehen (“to go”), German Low German gahn (“to go”), Limburgish gaon, goëne (“to go”), Luxembourgish goen (“to go”), Vilamovian gejn, gyjn (“to go”), Yiddish גיין (geyn, “to go, walk”), Danish, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk, and Swedish gå (“to go, walk”), Crimean Gothic geen (“to go”), Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐌲𐌲𐌰𐌽 (gaggan, “to go”). Compare also Albanian ngah (“to run, drive, go”), Ancient Greek κιχάνω (kikhánō, “to meet with, arrive at”), Avestan 𐬰𐬀𐬰𐬁𐬨𐬌 (zazāmi), Sanskrit जहाति (jáhāti, “to shun, avoid, lay aside”).

## Easily confused with
- **GP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-gp)
- **GS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-gs)
- **GR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-gr)
- **GU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-gu)
- **got** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-got)
- **god** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-god)
- **guy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-guy)
- **gun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-gun)
- **gym** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-gym)
- **GOP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-gop)
- **GPS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-gps)
- **gut** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-gut)
- **gum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-gum)
- **Gus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-gus)
- **GTA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-gta)
- **GPA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-gpa)
- **goo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-goo)
- **Goa** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-goa)
- **GST** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-gst)
- **GUI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/go-vs-gui)

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/go