acquaintance
uh-KWAYN-tuhns
Acquaintance (noun) means a person you know slightly, but who is not a close friend. Example: “He's more of a business acquaintance than a friend.”
noun
1
A person you know slightly, but who is not a close friend.
"He's more of a business acquaintance than a friend."
2
A slight or general knowledge of something.
"She has a passing acquaintance with French wine."
How to use acquaintance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone you know a bit, but not well — or a basic familiarity with a subject.
Common mistake
An acquaintance is less close than a friend — don't use it for someone you're genuinely close with.
Common pairings
a mutual acquaintance
nodding acquaintance
make someone's acquaintance
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Word forms
- Plural
- acquaintances
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He's more of a business _____ than a friend.
Etymology
From Old French acointance, "friendship, familiarity," from acointier, "to acquaint."
Synonyms
View more →
contact
associate
connection
acquaintanceship
friend
conversancy
conversance
familiarity
fellowship
intimacy
knowledge
kith
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for acquaintance
See all rhymes for acquaintance →Frequently asked questions
What does “acquaintance” mean?
The word “acquaintance” means a person you know slightly, but who is not a close friend. In plain terms, someone you know a bit, but not well — or a basic familiarity with a subject.
How do you pronounce “acquaintance”?
“Acquaintance” is pronounced uh-KWAYN-tuhns (/ʌˈkweɪn.təns/ in IPA).
How do you use “acquaintance” in a sentence?
Here is “acquaintance” used in a sentence: “He's more of a business acquaintance than a friend.”
What is another word for “acquaintance”?
Words with a similar meaning to “acquaintance” include familiarity, fellowship, intimacy, knowledge and kith.
What part of speech is “acquaintance”?
“Acquaintance” is a noun.
Where does the word “acquaintance” come from?
The word “acquaintance” comes from Old French. From Old French acointance, "friendship, familiarity," from acointier, "to acquaint.".
Is “acquaintance” a common word?
“Acquaintance” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “acquaintance” have?
“Acquaintance” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person you know slightly, but who is not a close friend.
What is the difference between an acquaintance and a friend?
An acquaintance is someone you know only slightly, such as a coworker or neighbor you exchange greetings with, while a friend implies a closer, more trusted relationship. "Acquaintance" specifically marks a lower level of familiarity than "friend."
Can "acquaintance" refer to knowledge of a subject rather than a person?
Yes. Besides naming a person you know slightly, "acquaintance" can describe having a slight or general knowledge of something, as in "a passing acquaintance with French."
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