First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
acquaint
verb ac·quaint \ə-ˈkwānt\
: to cause (someone) to know and become familiar with something
Full Definition of ACQUAINT
transitive verb
1
: to cause to know personally <was acquainted with the mayor>
2
: to make familiar : cause to know firsthand
See acquaint defined for English-language learners
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Origin of ACQUAINT
Middle English, from Anglo-French acuinter, aquaynter, from Old French acoins familiar, from Latin accognitus, past participle of accognoscere to recognize, from ad- + cognoscere to know — more at cognition
Synonym Discussion of ACQUAINT
inform, acquaint, apprise, notify mean to make one aware of something. inform implies the imparting of knowledge especially of facts or occurrences <informed us of the crisis>. acquaint lays stress on introducing to or familiarizing with <acquaint yourself with the keyboard>. apprise implies communicating something of special interest or importance <keep us apprised of the situation>. notify implies sending notice of something requiring attention or demanding action <notified the witness when to appear>.
Rhymes with ACQUAINT
ACQUAINT Defined for Kids
acquaint
verb ac·quaint \ə-ˈkwānt\
ac·quaint·edac·quaint·ing
Definition of ACQUAINT for Kids
1
: to cause to know personally <They became acquainted at school.>
2
: to make familiar <The supervisor acquainted them with their duties.>
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