acquirement

[ uh-kwahyuhr-muhnt ]

noun

1. the act of acquiring, especially the gaining of knowledge or mental attributes.
2. Often acquirements. something that is acquired, especially an acquired ability or attainment.

Word History and Origins

Origin of acquirement¹

First recorded in 1620–30; acquire + -ment

Example Sentences

At the period for which these hints are intended, the Modern Languages should form a portion of acquirement.

From Project Gutenberg

That must stand or fall by its intrinsic worth, not by the circumstances associated with its acquirement.

From Project Gutenberg

To obtain this evidence is worth more to any man or woman than any other purely mental acquirement can be.

From Project Gutenberg

There was some peculiar gift, or grace, or acquirement belonging without dispute to the one, and which the other lacked.

From Project Gutenberg

Another very extraordinary acquirement, and which the present writer has been witness to, is, Sword-swallowing.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Acquirement

What does acquirement mean?

Acquirement is the act of getting or obtaining something, especially knowledge or skills.

It can also refer to the thing acquired. When used in this way, it’s often used in the plural (acquirements).

Acquirement is a noun form of the verb acquire, which most commonly means to get, buy, or learn. It is much less commonly used than another noun form of acquire: acquisition, which also means the process of acquiring something or the thing that is acquired. Acquisition can be used in a general way to refer to acquiring things (including to acquiring knowledge or skills), and it’s also often used in a specific way to refer to a company that is acquired by another company.

Example: The acquirement of these skills will take focus and dedication.

Where does acquirement come from?

The first records of the word acquirement come from the 1600s. It ultimately comes from the Latin verb acquīrere, which means “to add to one’s possessions.” The noun suffix -ment is used in the same way as it is in the much more common word requirement.

Acquirement and acquisition can be synonyms, but acquirement is used less commonly and usually more narrowly. It especially refers to the acquiring of knowledge, skills, or abilities through learning.

Acquirement is typically not used in some of the more specific ways that acquisition is. Properties acquired by a company and additions to a museum’s collection are commonly called acquisitions, not acquirements.

Acquirement should not be confused with the term requirement, which is a noun form of the verb require and most commonly refers to something required or deemed necessary.

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What are some other forms related to acquirement?

• acquire (verb)

What are some synonyms for acquirement?

• acquisition

What are some words that share a root or word element with acquirement? 

 

• require
• inquire

What are some words that often get used in discussing acquirement?

• obtain
• get
• gain
• buy
• property
• company
• possession
• business
• language
• skill

What are some words acquirement may be commonly confused with?

 

• acquisition
• requirement

How is acquirement used in real life?

Acquirement is often used in a somewhat formal way.

Cheers to your success. However, its far from typical. To young Black men in the world, education and skill acquirement is still a viable path. It ain’t sexy. Its hard. Its attainable. #BlackExcellence

— Jesse James Robinson Jr. (@SoCalJesseJames) June 9, 2020

'How dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to be greater than his nature will allow.'

Mary Shelley, Frankenstein pic.twitter.com/jj3jrf7p3d

— Keats-Shelley House (@Keats_Shelley) April 9, 2020

"…a mere amusement of inferior character which robs the mind of time that might be devoted to nobler acquirements…" https://t.co/ts1TzNPNdN

— John Siracusa (@siracusa) May 22, 2014

 

 

Try using acquirement!

Is acquirement used correctly in the following sentence? 

The desire for the acquirement of knowledge should not stop as we age.