acquirement
C1Formal, Academic
Definition
Meaning
Something that has been learned or achieved, often a skill or piece of knowledge.
The act or process of acquiring something; a less common synonym for acquisition.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
While 'acquisition' focuses more on the act of obtaining, 'acquirement' often refers to the specific skill or item that has been obtained, especially in a personal development context. It is a formal and somewhat dated term.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage patterns are very similar. Slightly more likely to be found in older British academic texts.
Connotations
Implies deliberate effort and personal cultivation, often of intellectual or social skills. Can sound pompous in casual speech.
Frequency
Rare in both varieties, but marginally more frequent in British English. 'Acquisition' is overwhelmingly preferred.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
acquirement of [knowledge/skill]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He was a man of many acquirements (archaic).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in formal reports on skill development or company assets (e.g., 'the acquirement of new technical competencies').
Academic
Used in philosophy, education, or history to discuss the cultivation of knowledge or virtue.
Everyday
Almost never used. Sounds unnatural.
Technical
Can appear in legal or financial contexts as a synonym for acquisition, but this is very rare.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- To acquire knowledge is the primary goal of education.
American English
- The firm seeks to acquire several smaller startups.
adjective
British English
- His acquired taste for strong tea surprised his family.
American English
- She spoke with an acquired Midwestern accent.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Learning a language is a useful acquirement.
- Her many acquirements, from fluency in French to expertise in coding, made her an ideal candidate.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: To ACQUIRE a MENTal skill = ACQUIREMENT.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/SKILL IS A POSSESSION ('He added another acquirement to his repertoire').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'приобретение' directly as 'acquirement' in most contexts. Use 'acquisition' or 'purchase'. For skills, use 'acquisition', 'mastery', or simply 'skill'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it where 'acquisition' is meant (e.g., 'the company's recent acquirement of a competitor' - sounds odd).
- Using it in casual conversation.
- Misspelling as 'aquirement'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'acquirement' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Acquisition' is the broader, more common term for obtaining anything (a company, a language, a painting). 'Acquirement' is formal and often refers specifically to a personal skill or piece of knowledge gained through effort.
No, it is rare and formal. In nearly all contexts, 'acquisition', 'skill', or 'attainment' are better choices.
Technically yes, but it is very uncommon and sounds archaic. Use 'acquisition' or 'purchase' for objects.
For most learners, it is a word to recognize and understand in reading, not to use actively in speech or writing. Focus on 'acquisition'.