go

noun

UK /ɡəʊ/

Word Forms

singular	go
plural	goes

1
countable an attempt to do something
have a go at (doing) something:
She once had a go at writing a novel but quickly gave up.
give something a go (=try to do it):
I’d thought about skiing for some time and finally decided to give it a go this winter.
at/in one go:
Don’t try to eat the whole thing in one go.
Synonyms and related words
An attempt to do something
attempt
effort
struggle
1. 1a
  Britishyour chance to play in a game or to take part in an activity
  Whose go is it?
  have a go on something:
  Have a go on my exercise bike if you want.
  £1/£2 etc a go:
  Donkey rides are £3 a go.
  Synonyms and related words
  Actions in playing games or sports
  backhand
  backhander
  ball
2
uncountable Britishinformalenergy and enthusiasm
She’s always so full of go.
Synonyms and related words
Feelings of energy and enthusiasm
enthusiasm
inspiration
zeal
3
uncountable a Japanese game for two people, played with black and white stones on a board with lines that cross each other
Synonyms and related words
Board games and playing board games
backgammon
bagatelle
board game
4
singular Americaninformala situation in which something that has been planned can happen or be done
It looks like the party tonight is a go.
Synonyms and related words
General words for situations and circumstances
situation
circumstance
conditions

phrases

all the go

have a go

have a go at someone

have something on the go

it’s all go

make a go of something

on the go

go

noun

US /ɡoʊ/

Word Forms

singular	go
plural	goes

1
countable an attempt to do something
have a go at (doing) something:
She once had a go at writing a novel but quickly gave up.
give something a go (=try to do it):
I’d thought about skiing for some time and finally decided to give it a go this winter.
at/in one go:
Don’t try to eat the whole thing in one go.
Synonyms and related words
An attempt to do something
attempt
effort
struggle
1. 1a
  Britishyour chance to play in a game or to take part in an activity
  Whose go is it?
  have a go on something:
  Have a go on my exercise bike if you want.
  Synonyms and related words
  Actions in playing games or sports
  backhand
  backhander
  ball
2
singular Americaninformala situation in which something that has been planned can happen or be done
It looks like the party tonight is a go.
Synonyms and related words
General words for situations and circumstances
situation
circumstance
conditions
3
uncountable a Japanese game for two people, played with black and white stones on a board with lines that cross each other
Synonyms and related words
Board games and playing board games
backgammon
bagatelle
board game
4
uncountable Britishinformalenergy and enthusiasm
She’s always so full of go.
Synonyms and related words
Feelings of energy and enthusiasm
enthusiasm
inspiration
zeal

phrases

have a go

have a go at someone

have something on the go

make a go of something

on the go

go

verb

UK /ɡəʊ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	go
he/she/it	goes
present participle	going
past tense	went
past participle	gone

1
intransitive to move or travel to a place that is away from where you are now
Where did Sue go?
go to/into/through/across etc:
She went into the bathroom and rinsed her face in cold water.
The fastest way to get to the library is to go through the park.
We’re planning to go to Spain this winter.
go by car/train/plane etc:
They’ll be going from London to Paris by train.
Synonyms and related words
To go on a journey
explore
go
come
1. 1a
  to leave a place
  What time are you going tomorrow?
  I’m tired; let’s go.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words meaning to leave a place
  leave
  move on
  go away
2. 1b
  to move or travel to a place, or to leave a place, in order to do a particular thing
  go to:
  They’ve gone to a concert in town tonight.
  go to prison/jail:
  He went to prison for life.
  go to lunch/dinner:
  Are you ready to go to lunch yet?
  go to the doctor(’s)/dentist(’s)/hairdresser(’s) etc:
  I’m leaving early to go to the dentist.
  go to/into hospital:
  He went into hospital for a routine operation last Tuesday.
  go and do something:
  I have to go and pick up my friends at the airport.
  go to do something:
  Jim went to buy some more ice cream about ten minutes ago.
  go shopping/fishing/dancing etc:
  On hot days the kids would go swimming in the river.
  go for a swim/ride/walk etc:
  They went for a walk round the neighbourhood.
  Synonyms and related words
  To go on a journey
  explore
  go
  come
3. 1c
  to move in a particular way or while doing a particular thing
  go crashing/flying/crying etc:
  Two jet fighters went racing across the sky.
  Synonyms and related words
  To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
  head
  go
  progress
4. 1d
  to travel to a place along a particular road or as part of a transport service
  The bus goes right to the centre of town.
  Synonyms and related words
  To travel in a vehicle
  go
  ride
  commute
2
intransitive to travel to a particular place regularly in order to take part in an activity
go to:
None of her brothers went to college.
When I was young, we went to church every Sunday.
Synonyms and related words
To travel in a vehicle
go
ride
commute
3
intransitive to continue from one place or time to another
go from/to/past etc:
The 350-kilometre jungle highway going from Georgetown to Brazil was built with World Bank funds.
Synonyms and related words
To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
head
go
progress
4
intransitive to happen in a particular way
how are things going?/how’s it going?:
How are things going at work?
go well/smoothly/badly etc:
I think the interview went very well.
Synonyms and related words
To happen in a particular way
play out
go
go off
5
linking verb to change to another condition, usually a worse one
go deaf/blind/grey/bald etc:
Louise had gone completely blind before she died.
go wild/crazy/mad:
We knew they would go crazy if they ever found out.
go bad/sour/rotten:
The milk smells like it’s going bad.
Synonyms and related words
To become different
change
turn into
change into
Synonyms and related words
Linking verbs
appear
be
become
1. 5a
  to be in a particular state or situation, especially one in which you do not have something or in which something is not done
  go barefoot/naked etc:
  We both love going barefoot on the beach.
  go hungry:
  Thousands of people are being allowed to go hungry.
  go unseen/unheard etc:
  Most of their hard work seems to have gone unnoticed.
  It was a vicious tackle, and the referee couldn’t let it go unpunished.
  Synonyms and related words
  Linking verbs
  appear
  be
  become
6
intransitive to start being in a worse state, or to stop working correctly as a result of becoming old or damaged
Her hearing is really starting to go.
The battery in this watch is going.
Synonyms and related words
To become worse
worsen
decline
deteriorate
7
intransitive spokento die
When it’s your time to go, there’s nothing you can do about it.
Synonyms and related words
To die or to be killed
die
pass away
suffocate
8
intransitive to be usually kept or put in a particular place
go in/under/beside etc:
The spoons go in the other drawer.
Synonyms and related words
To be in a particular position or place
occupy
set
exist
1. 8a
  if something goes in a particular place, it fits there because it is the right size or shape
  There’s no way all this stuff will go in the box.
  Synonyms and related words
  To be in a particular position or place
  occupy
  set
  exist
2. 8b
  to be suitable, right, or attractive in a particular place or in a particular combination
  It’s the kind of furniture that would go well in any room.
  I don’t think these colours really go, do you?
  Synonyms and related words
  To be good enough or as good as expected
  satisfy
  fit in with
  suit
9
intransitive to be sent
I’d like this letter to go first class.
go to:
The memo should go to all employees.
Synonyms and related words
To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
head
go
progress
10
intransitive if time goes in a particular way, it passes in that way
go fast/quickly/slowly:
This week’s gone so fast – I can’t believe it’s Friday already.
Synonyms and related words
Time passing
passing
go by
wear on
11
intransitive/transitive to continue or last for a particular amount of time while doing something
go (for) days/weeks/months etc:
He went several days without eating a single thing.
Synonyms and related words
To continue for a particular amount of time
last
extend
go back
12
intransitive to be spent
Where did all their money go?
go on/for:
Half of the cheque went on new shoes for the kids.
Synonyms and related words
To use something, or to be used
go towards
bring in
fall back on
1. 12a
  if a supply of something goes, it becomes less because more and more of it is used
  We were worried because the food was completely gone and the water was going fast.
  Synonyms and related words
  To disappear, or to stop existing or happening
  X has left the building
  disappear
  finish
2. 12b
  to be got rid of
  have got to go:
  These old trousers of yours have got to go.
  Synonyms and related words
  To disappear, or to stop existing or happening
  X has left the building
  disappear
  finish
3. 12c
  to disappear
  I put my book on the table, and now it’s gone.
  Synonyms and related words
  To disappear, or to stop existing or happening
  X has left the building
  disappear
  finish
13
intransitive to leave a job or organization, especially because you are forced to
They can fire me, but I won’t go quietly.
Synonyms and related words
Leaving a job
resign
retire
stand down
14
transitive to make a particular sound, especially the typical sound of a particular animal
Cows go ‘moo’.
His alarm kept going ‘beep, beep, beep’.
Synonyms and related words
To make a sound
sound
tap out
let out
1. 14a
  intransitive to make a sound as a signal
  No one leaves until the bell goes.
  Synonyms and related words
  To make a sound
  sound
  tap out
  let out
15
intransitive to move in a particular way
He kept going like this with his head.
Synonyms and related words
To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
head
go
progress
16
intransitive/transitive to consist of a particular series of words, facts, or musical notes
That’s not the way the song goes.
the story/saying/argument goes (that):
The story goes that this castle was built by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.
Synonyms and related words
To be a feature or example of something
feature
enter into
characterize
17
transitive very informalused when you are telling a story for saying what someone has said
So he goes, ‘I know what I’m doing,’ and she goes, ‘I don’t think so.’
Synonyms and related words
Expressions used when telling stories
it all began
well
oh
18
intransitive to begin doing something
Nobody starts until I say ‘Go’.
be ready to go:
We’ve planned every detail and are ready to go.
get going (on something):
It won’t take me long once I get going.
Synonyms and related words
To start doing something
start on
begin
set about
19
intransitive if a machine or piece of equipment goes, it operates correctly
My old watch is still going.
Synonyms and related words
Engine and machine behaviour
backfire
burn up
come to life
20
intransitive to be sold
Tickets are going very fast, so I’d advise you to book now.
be going cheap (=be for sale at a low price):
There are some lovely bathroom tiles going cheap today.
Synonyms and related words
To be sold or for sale
sell
fetch
retail
21
intransitive to pay or accept a particular amount of money for something
I can’t go any higher than £500.
Synonyms and related words
To spend or to pay money
disburse
spend
pay
22
intransitive spokento go to the toilet
I need to go right now.
Synonyms and related words
Going to the toilet
be caught short
bedwetting
bowel movement

phrases

as someone/something goes

be going to do something

don’t go doing something

get going

go all out (to do something/for something)

go all the way

go and do something

go far

going, going, gone

go it alone

go one better (than)

go to do something

go too far

not go far

not go there

to go

the way things are going

where does someone go from here?

who goes there?

phrasal verbs

go about

go after

go against

go ahead

go along

go along with

go around

go at someone

go away

go back

go back on

go before

go beyond

go by

go down

go down on

go down with

go for

go in

go in for

go into

go in with

go off

go off with

go on

go on at

go out

go out of

go out to

go over

go over to

go through

go through with

go to

go together

go towards

go under

go up

go with

go without

go

verb

US /ɡoʊ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	go
he/she/it	goes
present participle	going
past tense	went
past participle	gone

1
intransitive to move or travel to a place that is away from where you are now
Where did Sue go?
go to/into/through/across etc.:
She went into the bathroom and rinsed her face in cold water.
The quickest way to get to the library is to go through the park.
We’re planning to go to Arizona this winter.
go by car/train/airplane etc.:
They’ll be going from London to Paris by train.
Synonyms and related words
To go on a journey
go
travel
come
1. 1a
  to leave a place
  What time are you going tomorrow?
  I’m tired; let’s go.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words meaning to leave a place
  leave
  move on
  go away
2. 1b
  to move or travel to a place, or to leave a place, in order to do a particular thing
  go to:
  They’ve gone to a concert in town tonight.
  go to prison/jail:
  He went to prison for life.
  go to lunch/dinner:
  Are you ready to go to lunch yet?
  go to the doctor(’s)/dentist(’s)/hairdresser(’s) etc.:
  I’m leaving early to go to the dentist.
  go to/into the hospital:
  He went into the hospital for a routine operation last Tuesday.
  go and do something:
  I have to go and pick up my friends at the airport.
  go to do something:
  Jim went to buy some more ice cream about ten minutes ago.
  go shopping/fishing/dancing etc.:
  On hot days the kids would go swimming in the river.
  go for a swim/ride/walk etc.:
  They went for a walk around the neighborhood.
  Synonyms and related words
  To go on a journey
  go
  travel
  come
3. 1c
  to move in a particular way or while doing a particular thing
  go flying/crying etc.:
  Two jet fighters went racing across the sky.
  Synonyms and related words
  To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
  head
  go
  progress
4. 1d
  to travel to a place along a particular road or as part of a transportation service
  The bus goes right to the center of town.
  Synonyms and related words
  To travel in a vehicle
  go
  ride
  commute
2
intransitive to travel to a particular place regularly in order to take part in an activity
go to:
None of her brothers went to college.
When I was young, we went to church every Sunday.
Synonyms and related words
To travel in a vehicle
go
ride
commute
3
intransitive to continue from one place or time to another
go from/to/past etc.:
The 350-kilometer jungle highway going from Georgetown to Brazil was built with World Bank funds.
Synonyms and related words
To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
head
go
progress
4
intransitive to happen in a particular way
how are things going?/how’s it going?:
How are things going at work?
go well/smoothly/badly etc.:
I think the interview went very well.
Synonyms and related words
To happen in a particular way
play out
go
go off
5
intransitive to be usually kept or put in a particular place
go in/under/beside etc.:
The spoons go in the other drawer.
Synonyms and related words
To be in a particular position or place
occupy
set
exist
1. 5a
  if something goes in a particular place, it fits there because it is the right size or shape
  There’s no way all this stuff will go in the box.
  Synonyms and related words
  To be in a particular position or place
  occupy
  set
  exist
2. 5b
  to be suitable, right, or attractive in a particular place or in a particular combination
  It’s the kind of furniture that would go well in any room.
  I don’t think these colors really go, do you?
  Synonyms and related words
  To be good enough or as good as expected
  satisfy
  fit in with
  suit
6
linking verb to change to another condition, usually a worse one
go deaf/blind/gray/bald etc.:
Louise had gone completely blind before she died.
go wild/crazy/mad:
We knew they would go crazy if they ever found out.
go bad/sour/rotten:
The milk smells like it’s going bad.
Synonyms and related words
To become different
transition
change
turn into
Synonyms and related words
Linking verbs
appear
be
become
1. 6a
  to be in a particular state or situation, especially one in which you do not have something or in which something is not done
  go barefoot/naked etc.:
  We both love going barefoot on the beach.
  go hungry:
  Thousands of people are being allowed to go hungry.
  go unseen/unheard etc.:
  Most of their hard work seems to have gone unnoticed.
  It was a vicious tackle, and the referee couldn’t let it go unpunished.
  Synonyms and related words
  Linking verbs
  appear
  be
  become
7
intransitive to start being in a worse state, or to stop working correctly as a result of becoming old or damaged
Her hearing is really starting to go.
The battery in this watch is going.
Synonyms and related words
To become worse
worsen
decline
deteriorate
8
intransitive spokento die
When it’s your time to go, there’s nothing you can do about it.
Synonyms and related words
To die or to be killed
die
pass away
suffocate
9
intransitive to be sent
I’d like this letter to go airmail.
go to:
The memo should go to all employees.
Synonyms and related words
To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
head
go
progress
10
intransitive if time goes in a particular way, it passes in that way
go fast/quickly/slowly:
This week’s gone so fast – I can’t believe it’s Friday already.
Synonyms and related words
Time passing
passing
go by
wear on
11
intransitive to be spent
Where did all their money go?
go on/for:
Half of the check went on new shoes for the kids.
Synonyms and related words
To use something, or to be used
repurpose
use
bring in
1. 11a
  if a supply of something goes, it becomes less because more and more of it is used
  We were worried because the food was completely gone and the water was going fast.
  Synonyms and related words
  To disappear, or to stop existing or happening
  X has left the building
  disappear
  finish
2. 11b
  to be gotten rid of
  have got to go:
  These old sneakers have got to go.
  Synonyms and related words
  To disappear, or to stop existing or happening
  X has left the building
  disappear
  finish
3. 11c
  to disappear
  I put my book on the table, and now it’s gone.
  Synonyms and related words
  To disappear, or to stop existing or happening
  X has left the building
  disappear
  finish
12
intransitive to leave a job or organization, especially because you are forced to
They can fire me, but I won’t go quietly.
Synonyms and related words
Leaving a job
resign
retire
stand down
13
transitive to make a particular sound, especially the typical sound of a particular animal
Cows go “moo.”
His alarm kept going “beep, beep, beep.”
Synonyms and related words
To make a sound
sound
tap out
let out
1. 13a
  intransitive mainly Britishto make a sound as a signal
  No one leaves until the bell goes.
  Synonyms and related words
  To make a sound
  sound
  tap out
  let out
14
intransitive to move in a particular way
He kept going like this with his head.
Synonyms and related words
To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
head
go
progress
15
intransitive/transitive to consist of a particular series of words, facts, or musical notes
That’s not the way the song goes.
the story/saying/argument goes (that):
The story goes that this castle was built by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.
Synonyms and related words
To be a feature or example of something
feature
enter into
characterize
16
transitive very informalused when you are telling a story for saying what someone has said
So he goes, “I know what I’m doing,” and she goes, “I don’t think so.”
Synonyms and related words
Expressions used when telling stories
it all began
once upon a time
well
17
intransitive to begin doing something
Nobody starts until I say “Go.”
be ready to go:
We’ve planned every detail and are ready to go.
get going (on something):
It won’t take me long once I get going.
Synonyms and related words
To start doing something
begin
start on
set about
18
intransitive/transitive to continue or last for a particular amount of time while doing something
go (for) days/weeks/months etc.:
He went several days without eating a single thing.
Synonyms and related words
To continue for a particular amount of time
last
extend
go back
19
intransitive if a machine or piece of equipment goes, it operates correctly
My old watch is still going.
Synonyms and related words
Engine and machine behavior
backfire
burn up
come to life
20
intransitive to be sold
Tickets are going very fast, so I’d advise you to get yours now.
be going cheap (=be for sale at a low price):
There are some lovely bathroom tiles going cheap today.
Synonyms and related words
To be sold or for sale
sell
fetch
retail
21
intransitive to pay or accept a particular amount of money for something
I can’t go any higher than $500.
Synonyms and related words
To spend or to pay money
disburse
spend
pay
22
intransitive spokento go to the toilet
I need to go right now.
Synonyms and related words
Going to the toilet
be caught short
bedwetting
bowel movement

phrases

as someone/something goes

be going to do something

don’t go doing something

get going

go all out (to do something/for something)

go all the way

go and do something

go do something

go far

going, going, gone

go it alone

go one better (than)

go to do something

go too far

not go far

not go there

to go

the way things are going

where does someone go from here?

who goes there?

phrasal verbs

go about

go after

go against

go ahead

go along

go along with

go around

go at someone

go away

go back

go back on

go before

go beyond

go by

go down

go down on

go down with

go for

go in

go in for

go into

go in with

go off

go off with

go on

go on at

go out

go out of

go out to

go over

go over to

go through

go through with

go to

go together

go toward

go under

go up

go with

go without

go ​‌‌

go ​‌‌

go ​‌‌‌

go ​‌‌‌

go

go

go

go