acquire
verb (transitive)
UKəˈkwaɪərUSəˈkwaɪɚ
to get or gain something, often by buying, receiving, or obtaining it through effort or process
Example Sentences
He acquired a new car last week.
The company plans to acquire several small tech startups next year.
She worked hard to acquire the skills needed for the new position.
The museum recently acquired a valuable painting from the 18th century.
In the digital age, people can easily acquire information from various online sources.
It's crucial to acquire a strong foundation in mathematics if you aspire to become an engineer.
Through years of exploration and commerce, the empire was able to acquire vast territories across different continents, expanding its influence while encountering diverse cultures in the process.
When striving to acquire a second language, consistent practice and immersion in realistic communication scenarios can significantly accelerate the journey toward fluency.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To obtain, develop, or come to possess something, often gradually or deliberately.“Acquire” is a verb used when someone gains ownership, obtains knowledge or skills, or comes to possess something over time. In a business setting, you might acquire a company or property; in personal growth, you could acquire a new language or habit. The core idea is that something new is coming under one’s control or adding to one’s set of assets—whether it’s a tangible item, a piece of knowledge, or a learned skill.When you talk about acquiring something, the method can be active—like studying or investing—or more passive—like stumbling upon a valuable item at a thrift store. In a formal context, such as finance or corporate strategy, “acquire” often implies a deliberate process, involving planning, negotiation, or resources (for instance, a company acquiring a smaller startup). In everyday use, it can just as easily mean picking up a secondhand car or gradually gaining fluency in French. The main point is that you end up with something you didn’t have before. This can happen instantly, as in buying a product, or slowly, as in developing expertise over many years.In writing or speech, specify what is being acquired and possibly the means or reason for acquiring it. For example, “He acquired strong coding skills by completing several online courses,” or “The museum acquired a rare painting to enrich its Renaissance art collection.” Doing so adds clarity and depth, illustrating both the significance of the acquisition and the effort or circumstances that led to it. Whether describing major financial transactions or personal development milestones, “acquire” emphasizes the transition from not having to having, from inexperience to competency, or from possibility to reality.
Alternatives
Depending on your context, several synonyms or related verbs might suit the idea of gaining something new. If you want to emphasize a more casual tone or immediate process, “get,” “obtain,” or “gain” can stand in for “acquire.” For example, “He got a new job” or “She obtained her driver’s license.” If you need a more formal or corporate flavor, “procure” or “secure” might fit. “Procure” often implies effort or expense in securing an item or service, while “secure” can highlight the action of ensuring you have something locked in or guaranteed.Meanwhile, “develop” or “cultivate” better capture the gradual nature of learning or building a skill set. “Develop language skills” or “cultivate a passion for music” suggest a process extended over time, rather than a one-time gain. In a business or legal context, “purchase” or “take over” can specify the manner of acquisition, especially when discussing property or corporate holdings. Each term carries its own shade of meaning, so the choice depends on whether you want to convey a formal transaction, personal growth, or an everyday act of obtaining something new.
Writing
In written form—be it academic, business, or creative—“acquire” can neatly signal that something has been obtained, with the potential to elaborate on how or why. In a business proposal, for example, you could say, “Our company plans to acquire smaller tech startups to expand our talent pool.” This phrasing implies a strategic move, possibly involving negotiation, due diligence, and legal processes.If you’re crafting an academic paper, you might use “acquire” when discussing skill development or knowledge. For instance, “Students acquire problem-solving abilities through hands-on lab experiments.” Here, the word highlights a learning progression. In creative writing, “acquire” can introduce turning points or character development—like a detective who acquires a crucial piece of evidence. Clarifying the means of acquisition, such as trade, purchase, discovery, or learning, elevates your narrative by grounding your reader in the reality of how the subject gains or learns something new.
Casual Conversation
In casual conversation, “acquire” often crops up when talking about getting something you’ve needed or wanted—like “I finally acquired a good laptop,” or “She acquired a taste for sushi after trying it several times.” Although “acquire” can sound slightly more formal than “get” or “pick up,” it’s still acceptable in everyday speech, especially if you’re emphasizing the value or effort involved.Friends might say, “How did you acquire those tickets for the sold-out concert?” showing curiosity about how you managed to secure something hard to obtain. If someone shares a new skill they’re learning—like playing the guitar or speaking Spanish—another might comment, “When did you acquire that talent?” While it’s not the most informal expression, “acquire” conveys a sense of progress or attainment that’s done either through effort or luck, making it versatile for both casual and semi-formal contexts. It’s a handy way to lend a touch more weight or importance to the act of getting something, indicating you either spent time or overcame hurdles to do so.
Etymology
“Acquire” finds its roots in the Latin verb “acquirere,” formed by the prefix “ad-” (meaning “toward”) and “quaerere” (meaning “to seek” or “to search for”). This origin highlights the notion of actively moving toward something you desire or seek. Over the centuries, the word transitioned through Old French (“acquerre”) before appearing in Middle English with spellings like “acquerre” or “aquere,” eventually settling into modern English as “acquire.”Historically, “acquire” often pertained to gaining land, titles, or wealth—material possessions or legal privileges. As commerce expanded and literacy rose, its usage broadened to include intangible acquisitions such as knowledge, habits, and capabilities. Yet the fundamental sense of pursuit—whether it’s goods, expertise, or resources—remains. Even in contemporary contexts, “acquire” retains the implication that effort, intention, or at least good fortune played a part in moving from not having something to having it. Through each shift in language and culture, the key idea persists: purposeful or fortuitous pursuit, leading to something newly possessed or learned.