acquaint
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make more or less familiar, aware, or conversant (usually followed bywith ).
to acquaint the mayor with our plan.
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to furnish with knowledge; inform (usually followed bywith ).
to acquaint the manager with one's findings.
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to bring into social contact; introduce (usually followed bywith ).
She acquainted her roommate with my cousin.
verb
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to make (a person) familiar or conversant (with); inform (of)
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(foll by with) to introduce (to); bring into contact (with)
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of acquaint
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
Explanation
When you acquaint yourself with something, you familiarize yourself with it. When you visit a new city, you should acquaint yourself with the layout of the streets so you don’t get lost. You can also acquaint yourself with another person, by introducing yourself and getting know them. When you see the moving truck pull in across the street, you might want to run over and acquaint yourself with your new neighbors. The word acquaint comes via French from the Latin accognoscere, which is made up of ad- “to,” or “toward,” and cognoscere “come to know.”
Vocabulary lists containing acquaint
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Let’s acquaint ourselves with Article 1, Section 5 of the Constitution.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026
He now forecasts that about half a gigawatt will be deployed in the second half of 2026, reflecting the time needed to acquaint to new rack architecture.
From MarketWatch • Oct. 15, 2025
This is standard fare - an opportunity for 'tracksuit staff' to acquaint themselves with the new coaching team and for the manager to start laying down his philosophy.
From BBC • Aug. 12, 2025
That is all the invitation they need to acquaint themselves with the goods in a way they are rarely permitted at serious institutions.
From New York Times • Apr. 23, 2024
It gives me further pleasure to acquaint you that this degree was unanimously voted by the Corporation of the University, and unanimously confirmed by the Overseers....
From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
