acquire
uh-KWEYE-uh
Acquire (verb) means to get or obtain something, often through effort, purchase, or over time. Example: “Over many years, he slowly acquired a large collection of old maps.”
verb
1
To get or obtain something, often through effort, purchase, or over time.
"Over many years, he slowly acquired a large collection of old maps."
"The company acquired a smaller rival last year."
"She acquired a taste for spicy food while living abroad."
2
To develop or catch (an illness, habit, or skill) over time.
"Children acquire language quickly just by listening to the people around them."
"Patients can acquire infections if the hospital wards are not cleaned properly."
"He acquired a limp after the accident."
How to use acquire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo gain or obtain something, whether it's a company, a skill, or a habit.
Common pairings
acquire a company
acquire a taste for
acquire skills
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- acquires
- Past tense
- acquired
- Archaic forms
- acquirest, acquiredst, acquireth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Over many years, he slowly _____ a large collection of old maps.
Etymology
From Old French aquerre, from Latin acquiro, built from ad- ("to") and quaero ("to seek").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for acquire
See all rhymes for acquire →Frequently asked questions
What does “acquire” mean?
The word “acquire” means to get or obtain something, often through effort, purchase, or over time. In plain terms, to gain or obtain something, whether it's a company, a skill, or a habit.
How do you pronounce “acquire”?
“Acquire” is pronounced uh-KWEYE-uh (/əˈkwaɪɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “acquire” in a sentence?
Here is “acquire” used in a sentence: “The company acquired a smaller rival last year.”
What is another word for “acquire”?
Words with a similar meaning to “acquire” include achieve, collect, find, gather, get and score.
What is the opposite of “acquire”?
The opposite of “acquire” — its antonyms — are abandon, lose, discard and dispose.
What part of speech is “acquire”?
“Acquire” is a verb.
Where does the word “acquire” come from?
The word “acquire” comes from Latin. From Old French aquerre, from Latin acquiro, built from ad- ("to") and quaero ("to seek").
Is “acquire” a common word?
“Acquire” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between acquire and obtain?
Both mean to get something, and they often overlap. "Acquire" tends to suggest gaining something gradually, through effort, purchase, or over time, while "obtain" is a more general word for getting hold of something.
What is the difference between acquire and buy?
"Buy" specifically means to get something by paying money for it. "Acquire" is broader, covering purchase but also gaining something through effort, gift, or accumulation over time.
Can you 'acquire' a skill or a habit?
Yes. In its second sense, "acquire" means to develop or pick up something over time, such as a skill, a habit, a taste, or even an illness. For example, "she acquired a taste for jazz" or "he acquired the habit slowly."
Is 'acquire' formal or informal?
"Acquire" is fairly formal and common in business, legal, and academic writing. In everyday casual speech, people more often use the simpler word "get."
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