acquaint

[ uh-kweynt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make more or less familiar, aware, or conversant (usually followed by with ):

   to acquaint the mayor with our plan.

2. to furnish with knowledge; inform (usually followed by with ):

   to acquaint the manager with one's findings.

3. to bring into social contact; introduce (usually followed by with ):

   She acquainted her roommate with my cousin.

acquaint

/ əˈkweɪnt /

verb

1. foll bywith or of to make (a person) familiar or conversant (with); inform (of)
2. foll by with to introduce (to); bring into contact (with)

Other Words From

• preac·quaint verb (used with object)
• reac·quaint verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of acquaint¹

1250–1300; Middle English aqueinten, acointen < Anglo-French acointer, Old French acoint ( i ) er, verbal derivative of acointe familiar, known < Latin accognitus, past participle of accognōscere to recognize, equivalent to ac- ac- + co- co- + gni- know ¹ + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of acquaint¹

C13: via Old French and Medieval Latin from Latin accognitus, from accognōscere to know perfectly, from ad- (intensive) + cognōscere to know

Example Sentences

Back in January, she was a 38-year-old first-time mother who was getting acquainted with all the practical challenges of attempting to maintain some semblance of work-life balance.

From Washington Post

The good news is that we’re already well acquainted with some members of the family.

From Singularity Hub 

While “there’s no upside to this pandemic,” she says, without it, the two surely would have never become acquainted.

From MIT Technology Review

While all conscious beings are acquainted with their consciousness, not all conscious beings are able to reflectively attend to their experience and form acquaintance-based concepts of it.

From Nautilus

If the goal-directed nature of Reality is present within each particular conscious mind, it follows that any conscious mind is acquainted with the goal-directed nature of Reality.

From Nautilus

Some of the colonists sincerely desired to acquaint and convert the Indians to Christianity.

From Project Gutenberg

It would do little or no good to acquaint the constable with their suspicion that the rascal might be the man named Cameron Smith.

From Project Gutenberg

Who will acquaint us when there is a concert, a choral service in church, or something wonderful to be seen at the fair?

From Project Gutenberg

At length the German commissioner arrived, and came to acquaint us that within two days we were to set out.

From Project Gutenberg

In the meantime Painted Weasel had ridden away to acquaint his companions with the plans of the war party.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accustom
• advise
• apprise
• enlighten
• familiarize
• inform

When To Use

What is another way to say acquaint?

To acquaint two or more people is to bring them into social contact. How is acquaint different from introduce? Find out on Thesaurus.com.