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acquire
/əˈkwaɪər/
to gain or obtain something
She worked hard to acquire the necessary skills for her dream job.
She put in effort to gain the skills needed for her desired career.
general
to gain possession of something through effort, purchase, or effort
The company aims to acquire new technology to stay competitive.
The company wants to gain new technology to remain ahead in the market.
He acquired a rare book at an auction.
He bought a rare book at an auction.
Can be used in both formal and informal contexts, often implying effort or strategy.
general
to develop or learn something over time
She acquired fluency in Spanish after years of study.
She became fluent in Spanish after many years of learning.
Often used for skills, knowledge, or traits gained gradually.
Collocations
acquire knowledgeto learn or gain knowledgeacquire a skillto develop or learn a skillacquire a companyto buy or take over a company
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal Use
Use 'acquire' in formal contexts like business or academic writing. For casual speech, 'get' or 'obtain' might be more natural.
Gold Rule
Business Context
In business, 'acquire' often means buying or merging with another company, not just gaining possession.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'aquiren' (14th century), from Old French 'acquirer', from Latin 'acquirere' (to gain, obtain), from 'ad-' (to) + 'quaerere' (to seek).
Usage Notes
Often implies effort or strategy, and can be used for both tangible and intangible things. In business, it often refers to buying or merging with another company.
Word Breakdown
ac-
to
prefix-quire
seek
rootEnglish Dictionary