acquire

[ uh-kwahyuhr ]

verb (used with object)

, ac·quired, ac·quir·ing.

1. to come into possession or ownership of; get as one's own:

   to acquire property.

2. to gain for oneself through one's actions or efforts:

   to acquire learning.

   Synonyms: appropriate, attain, earn, win

3. Linguistics. to achieve native or nativelike command of (a language or a linguistic rule or element).
4. Military. to locate and track (a moving target) with a detector, as radar.

acquire

/ əˈkwaɪə /

verb

1. tr to get or gain (something, such as an object, trait, or ability), esp more or less permanently

Derived Forms

• acˈquirable, adjective
• acˈquirer, noun
• acˈquirement, noun

Other Words From

• ac·quira·ble adjective
• ac·quira·bili·ty noun
• ac·quirer noun
• preac·quire verb preacquired preacquiring
• reac·quire verb (used with object) reacquired reacquiring
• self-ac·quired adjective
• unac·quira·ble adjective
• unac·quired adjective
• well-ac·quired adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of acquire¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin acquīrere “to add to one's possessions, acquire” ( ac- ac- + -quīrere, combining form of quaerere “to search for, obtain”); replacing late Middle English aquere, from Middle French aquerre, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of acquire¹

C15: via Old French from Latin acquīrere, from ad- in addition + quaerere to get, seek

Synonym Study

See get.

Example Sentences

But none of them managed to be able to acquire the weapons or the bomb materials to carry out either event.

From The Daily Beast

Every question—for services to buy or advice to acquire—comes with a number.

From The Daily Beast

“We have been and will continue to work to acquire the drugs in accordance with the law,” McNaughton said via email.

From The Daily Beast

Dodge did acquire the collection, and now his own runs to 125 bicycles, dating from 1820 to 1920.

From The Daily Beast

According to media reports, Amazon, 21st Century Fox, Hearst, and Condé Nast are all vying to acquire StyleHaul.

From The Daily Beast

A child may acquire while quite young and before any methodical education commences a certain feeling for regular form.

From Project Gutenberg

I found that I had been allowed to acquire certain bad habits and besetting sins—most people do.

From Project Gutenberg

“Doctrine”—the Monroe doctrine declared that no foreign power should acquire additional dominion in America.

From Project Gutenberg

Accustomed to the bustle and hurry of a soldier's life, he was too old to acquire the tastes of a life of tranquillity.

From Project Gutenberg

Non-resident aliens can acquire no rights incident to residence here except as permitted by the federal government.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• achieve
• amass
• bring in
• buy
• collect
• earn
• gain
• get
• have
• pick up
• promote
• take
• win