acquaint

[ uh-kweynt ]

See synonyms for acquaint on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to make more or less familiar, aware, or conversant (usually followed by with): to acquaint the mayor with our plan.
to furnish with knowledge; inform (usually followed by with): to acquaint the manager with one's findings.

to bring into social contact; introduce (usually followed by with): She acquainted her roommate with my cousin.

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-know¹ + -tus past participle suffix

Other words from acquaint

pre·ac·quaint, verb (used with object)
re·ac·quaint, verb (used with object)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use acquaint in a sentence

Grotius himself acquaints us, that he used great circumspection in writing news to the High Chancellor.
The Life of the Truly Eminent and Learned Hugo Grotius | Jean Lvesque de Burigny
Grotius acquaints us, that she wrote an useful book on Widowhood, which was very well done.
The Life of the Truly Eminent and Learned Hugo Grotius | Jean Lvesque de Burigny
The introduction acquaints us, more or less fully, with the subject to be treated.
Elementary Guide to Literary Criticism | F. V. N. Painter
Culture lends the note of distinction and acquaints the youth with all the best that has been said and done.
Right Living as a Fine Art | Newell Dwight Hillis
He goes through the entire establishment, and personally acquaints himself with the exact condition of the business.
Lights and Shadows of New York Life | James D. McCabe

British Dictionary definitions for acquaint

acquaint

/ (əˈkweɪnt) /

verb(tr)

(foll by with or of) to make (a person) familiar or conversant (with); inform (of)
(foll by with) mainly US to introduce (to); bring into contact (with)

Origin of acquaint

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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