Gotten is the past participle of the verb “get” in American English. When you've gotten something, you've received it, obtained it, or come to have it. “I've gotten three emails today.” “She's gotten much better at piano.” “They've gotten lost in the woods.”

The word shows up after helping verbs like “have,” “has,” or “had.” You might say “I have gotten taller this year” or “By the time we arrived, the store had gotten crowded.” It describes something that has happened or a state that has been reached.

British English uses “got” instead of “gotten” in most cases, saying “I've got three emails” rather than “I've gotten three emails.” But in America, gotten is the standard form, and it sounds more natural to American ears.

“Gotten” can mean different things depending on context. “I've gotten a new bike” means you obtained one. “The weather has gotten colder” means it became colder. “Have you gotten any better at chess?” asks if you've improved. The word is remarkably flexible, adapting to whatever kind of getting, becoming, or receiving you're describing.