gittin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (in Standard English); Appears in specific dialects and vernaculars.Informal, vernacular, slang. Not appropriate for formal contexts.
Quick answer
What does “gittin” mean?
Non-standard slang variant of 'getting'. Typically used in AAVE (African-American Vernacular English) and some other vernaculars.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Non-standard slang variant of 'getting'. Typically used in AAVE (African-American Vernacular English) and some other vernaculars. It is a phonetically-reduced form where the initial 'ge-' sound is softened to a 'gi-' sound.
In AAVE, 'gittin' can also carry aspectual meanings, similar to 'getting' in Standard English, such as entering a state or beginning an action. It is often associated with informal speech and specific cultural contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As a representation of a non-standard pronunciation, it is more likely to appear in written depictions of American vernacular speech, particularly AAVE or Southern US dialects. In the UK, it might appear in representations of certain regional accents, but it is far less common.
Connotations
Carries strong connotations of informal, colloquial, or uneducated speech. In literary use, it can signal a specific character's background, region, or social class.
Frequency
Extremely rare in edited, standard writing. Frequency is limited to transcribed speech, dialogue in fiction, song lyrics, or informal digital communication mimicking speech.
Grammar
How to Use “gittin” in a Sentence
Subject + be + gittin' + adjective (We be gittin' tired.)Subject + be + gittin' + noun phrase (He's gittin' a new car.)Subject + start/keep + gittin' (They started gittin' noisy.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gittin” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's gittin' on the bus now.
- I'll be gittin' the shopping later.
American English
- We be gittin' ready to leave.
- She's gittin' a new phone tomorrow.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Never used, except as a linguistic example.
Everyday
Only in very specific, informal dialectal speech among certain groups.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gittin”
- Using 'gittin' in any formal writing.
- Treating it as a distinct word rather than a dialectal variant.
- Overusing it to represent all informal speech.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'gittin' is not a standard dictionary entry. It is a non-standard spelling used to represent a specific pronunciation of the word 'getting' in certain dialects, primarily in written dialogue.
Unless you are deliberately representing a specific dialect in artistic writing (like fiction or song lyrics), you should always use the standard form 'getting'. Using 'gittin' in general communication can be perceived as incorrect or uneducated.
Both are non-standard spellings for 'getting'. 'Gittin' (with 'i') often represents a pronunciation common in some Southern US and AAVE dialects, while 'gettin' (with 'e') is a more general representation of the reduced pronunciation common in many casual speech registers. 'Gettin'' is far more widespread in informal writing.
It is highly unlikely to appear in a mainstream dictionary like the Oxford English Dictionary or Merriam-Webster, as it is considered a variant spelling rather than a distinct lexeme. It might be noted in specialized dictionaries of slang or dialect.
Non-standard slang variant of 'getting'. Typically used in AAVE (African-American Vernacular English) and some other vernaculars.
Gittin is usually informal, vernacular, slang. not appropriate for formal contexts. in register.
Gittin: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɪt.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɪt̬.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Gittin' on my nerves”
- “Gittin' up the nerve”
- “What you gittin' at?”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'git' (as in the software or informal British term) + 'in'. You're 'gittin' in' to a state or place. Remember it's an informal way of spelling how 'getting' sounds in some fast, casual speech.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOVEMENT TOWARD A STATE IS GETTING/GITTIN' THERE (e.g., 'gittin' old' frames aging as a destination being approached).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the spelling 'gittin' be most appropriate?