acquaintance
B2Formal to neutral. More formal than 'know' but common in written and spoken English.
Definition
Meaning
Knowledge or experience of someone or something, especially through direct contact.
A person one knows slightly, but who is not a close friend; the state of being familiar with something or someone.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers to either the state of knowing (uncountable) or a person known (countable). Implies a lesser degree of familiarity than 'friend'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The countable use for a person is slightly more formal in both. Some UK speakers might more readily use 'a nodding acquaintance'.
Connotations
Neutral, but can imply a degree of distance or formality in a relationship.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in written texts in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have an acquaintance with [someone/something]make the acquaintance of [someone]be acquainted with [someone/something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a nodding acquaintance”
- “on first acquaintance”
- “scrape up an acquaintance”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for professional contacts, e.g., 'He's a business acquaintance from the conference.'
Academic
Used to discuss familiarity with concepts, e.g., 'The students had little acquaintance with postmodern theory.'
Everyday
Used for social contacts, e.g., 'She's just an acquaintance from my yoga class.'
Technical
Rare; mostly in social sciences to describe network ties.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We should acquaint the new staff with our procedures.
- I am not acquainted with the details.
American English
- You need to acquaint yourself with the safety manual.
- Are you two acquainted?
adverb
British English
- (No direct adverb form; 'acquaintedly' is obsolete/non-standard).
American English
- (No standard adverb form from 'acquaintance').
adjective
British English
- He's an acquainted face in the local pub.
- (Note: 'acquainted' is participial adjective; simple adjective form is rare).
American English
- She is well acquainted with the city's history.
- They are not personally acquainted.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have an acquaintance in London.
- He is my father's acquaintance.
- We made the acquaintance of our new neighbours last week.
- My acquaintance with French literature is quite limited.
- On closer acquaintance, he turned out to be quite charming.
- She has a wide circle of acquaintances in the art world.
- His passing acquaintance with the subject did not qualify him to lecture on it.
- The two diplomats, though mere acquaintances, forged a crucial agreement.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ACQUAINT yourself with the ANTS at a picnic—you know they're there, but you're not exactly friends.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING IS SEEING/MEETING (e.g., 'I first made his acquaintance at university').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'знакомый' in all contexts; 'acquaintance' is more formal for a person and the primary meaning is the state of knowing.
- Do not use for 'знакомство' in the romantic sense; 'acquaintance' is not romantic.
Common Mistakes
- Using as a direct synonym for 'friend'. (Incorrect: 'My best acquaintance' -> 'My best friend').
- Using the verb form incorrectly. (Incorrect: 'I acquainted him last year.' -> 'I made his acquaintance last year.' or 'I met him last year.')
Practice
Quiz
What does the phrase 'a nodding acquaintance' imply?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'friend' implies emotional closeness. An 'acquaintance' is someone you know but aren't close to. A 'colleague' is specifically someone you work with (who may be a friend or just an acquaintance).
No. The verb is 'acquaint'. 'Acquaintance' is only a noun. You 'acquaint' yourself with something or 'are acquainted with' someone.
Yes, that is a standard and correct possessive structure, equivalent to 'one of my acquaintances'.
It's a formal way to say 'meet for the first time'. Example: 'I was delighted to make the acquaintance of the renowned scientist.'