diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/figure.py b/lib/matplotlib/figure.py
index 129dee3e88b9..db2428477f44 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/figure.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/figure.py
@@ -1226,7 +1226,7 @@ def _set_artist_props(self, a):
     @docstring.dedent_interpd
     def gca(self, **kwargs):
         """
-        Return the current axes, creating one if necessary
+        Get the current axes, creating one if necessary
 
         The following kwargs are supported for ensuring the returned axes
         adheres to the given projection etc., and for axes creation if
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py b/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
index 53ac1cf6761e..744cd15cd214 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ def make_active(event):
 
 
 def gcf():
-    "Return a reference to the current figure."
+    "Get a reference to the current figure."
 
     figManager = _pylab_helpers.Gcf.get_active()
     if figManager is not None:
@@ -809,7 +809,7 @@ def sca(ax):
 
 def gca(**kwargs):
     """
-    Return the current :class:`~matplotlib.axes.Axes` instance on the
+    Get the current :class:`~matplotlib.axes.Axes` instance on the
     current figure matching the given keyword args, or create one.
 
     Examples