acquaint

[uh-kweynt]

verb (used with object)

1. to make more or less familiar, aware, or conversant (usually followed bywith ).

   to acquaint the mayor with our plan.

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

   to acquaint the manager with one's findings.

3. to bring into social contact; introduce (usually followed bywith ).

   She acquainted her roommate with my cousin.

acquaint

/ əˈkweɪnt /

verb

1. to make (a person) familiar or conversant (with); inform (of)

2. (foll by with) to introduce (to); bring into contact (with)

Other Word Forms

• preacquaint verb (used with object)
• reacquaint 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

She exhibits a collection of quirks familiar to anyone vaguely acquainted with the sitcom genre.

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There would be the wobbly start as owner and club got acquainted, a few spins of the managerial merry-go-round, investment in the squad, improvement, promotion, consolidation, sale.

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But we become better acquainted with how light ripples across Johnson’s shirtless back in a tracking shot than with whatever’s going on in his character’s head.

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“I’ve now become acquainted with our legal system in ways that I didn’t know would be necessary for my job.”

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Jones is well acquainted with heavy prep work — for “CODA,” she learned American Sign Language to play the only hearing member of the Rossi family and how to fish.

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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.