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
- 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.”
Vocabulary lists containing acquaint
Frindle
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Missing May
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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.
Kassem suggests that new workers acquaint themselves with safety guidelines, and ensure they have proper channels to express concerns.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2025
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
O'Hanlon also suggested that climate change activists acquaint themselves with the specific ways in which smart climate change policies can help people improve their lives.
From Salon • Jan. 18, 2024
I had no desire to acquaint myself with the machine’s crushing gears and movements.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
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.
