acquaint

American  

[uh-kweynt] / əˈkweɪnt /

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.

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acquaint British  

/ əˈkweɪnt /

verb

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

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

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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

• preacquaint
  verb (used with object)
• reacquaint
  verb (used with object)

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.”

Example Sentences

Acquaint yourself with the University of Oregon campus on a miles-long running tour with a student or researcher who can chat about campus life and discoveries in, say, microbiology with equal authority.

From Washington Post • Nov. 8, 2017

Acquaint yourself with the finer points of the pink drink.

From Time • Jun. 30, 2017

Acquaint yourself with the operations of other employes in similar work.

From Dollars and Sense by Hunter, William Crosbie

Then said Zoulmekan to Dendan, "Acquaint me with the particulars of my father's treasures."

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Volume II by Payne, John

Acquaint Mr. Carmack that his son was slightly wounded through the shoulder and arm and that he is in a likely way of recovery.

From The Winning of the West, Volume 1 From the Alleghanies to the Mississippi, 1769-1776 by Roosevelt, Theodore

Related Words

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