acquaint

[ uh-kweynt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make more or less familiar, aware, or conversant (usually followed by with ):

   to acquaint the mayor with our plan.

2. to furnish with knowledge; inform (usually followed by with ):

   to acquaint the manager with one's findings.

3. to bring into social contact; introduce (usually followed by with ):

   She acquainted her roommate with my cousin.

acquaint

/ əˈkweɪnt /

verb

1. foll bywith or of to make (a person) familiar or conversant (with); inform (of)
2. foll by with to introduce (to); bring into contact (with)

Other Words From

• preac·quaint verb (used with object)
• reac·quaint verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of acquaint¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of acquaint¹

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

Example Sentences

Dobrev and White first met during a brief encounter at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards but were formally acquainted several years later at a Florida workshop organized by motivational speaker Tony Robbins.

From Los Angeles Times

Kelly told me Trump was not acquainted with Rommel.

From Salon

"Early Americans were pretty well acquainted with radical market measures in times of crisis," Rao said.

From Salon

LAM explained that the elevator technician who unknowingly trashed Lavet’s work was filling in for the museum’s regular technician, “who is well acquainted with the building and its exhibits.”

From Los Angeles Times

Despite the mishap, the museum says it "bears no ill will towards the lift technician who made the mistake", who was covering for someone who is "well acquainted with the building and its exhibits".

From BBC

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.