acquire
B2Neutral to formal. Common in business, academic, and legal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To obtain, gain, or come into possession of something, often through effort or over time.
To develop or learn a skill, habit, or characteristic; to buy or obtain a company, asset, or property; in law, to become the owner of something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a process, effort, or intentionality. Can be used for tangible objects, intangible skills, or abstract qualities. Distinguish from 'get' (more general/informal) and 'obtain' (more formal/official).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Slight preference for 'acquire' in formal business contexts in the US. Both use 'acquire' for company takeovers.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in British English. In American business jargon, 'to acquire' is standard for mergers and acquisitions.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties in formal registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] acquires [Object][Subject] acquires [Object] from [Source][Subject] acquires [Object] through [Means]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “An acquired taste”
- “Acquire a taste for something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The firm plans to acquire a smaller competitor to expand its market share.
Academic
The study examines how children acquire language in a multilingual environment.
Everyday
She acquired a lovely tan during her holiday in Greece.
Technical
The satellite failed to acquire the target signal.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He hopes to acquire the necessary qualifications for the job.
- The museum has acquired a rare collection of medieval manuscripts.
- Over years, she acquired a deep understanding of local customs.
American English
- The tech giant moved to acquire the startup for its innovative software.
- It takes time to acquire a new skill like coding.
- They managed to acquire the land for the new development project.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I want to acquire a new bicycle.
- She acquired a friend at school.
- He is trying to acquire better study habits.
- The company plans to acquire new offices in the city centre.
- Through extensive travel, she acquired a profound appreciation for different cultures.
- Investors were keen to acquire shares in the promising new venture.
- The treaty stipulated how the newly independent state would acquire its legal sovereignty.
- The artist's later works acquired a melancholic tone not present in his early output.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'I require (sounds like 'acquire') effort to ACQUIRE new skills.'
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/OBJECTS ARE COMMODITIES TO BE OBTAINED (e.g., acquire knowledge); CHANGE IS MOTION TOWARDS POSSESSION (e.g., acquire a new habit).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'требовать' (to demand). 'Acquire' is closer to 'приобретать', 'получать'. Avoid direct translation of 'get' as 'acquire' in informal contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'acquire' for immediate, casual receiving (e.g., 'I acquired a coffee' - use 'got' or 'bought').
- Confusing spelling: 'aquire' (incorrect) vs. 'acquire' (correct).
- Overusing in place of simpler verbs like 'learn' or 'get'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'acquire' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Acquire' suggests a process, effort, or formality, and is used in more formal contexts. 'Get' is general, informal, and can mean receive, become, understand, etc.
Yes, it's very common. 'Acquire knowledge/skills/fluency' implies a process of learning and development.
Yes, frequently. It's standard in Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) for company takeovers ('Company A acquired Company B') and for obtaining assets or property.
It describes something you learn to like over time, not immediately. For example, 'Olives are an acquired taste for many people.'