English Explanatory Dictionary

acquaintance

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A state of being acquainted with a person; originally indicating friendship, intimacy, but now suggesting a slight knowledge less deep than that of friendship; acquaintanceship.
  2. A person or persons with whom one is acquainted.
  3. Such people collectively; one's circle of acquaintances (with plural concord).
  4. Personal knowledge (with a specific subject etc.).

Pronunciation

/əˈkweɪntəns/ /ʌˈkweɪn.təns/ en-us-acquaintance.ogg

Word forms

acquaintance acquaintances

Etymology

From Middle English aqueyntaunce, from Anglo-Norman aquaintaunce, aqueintance, Old French acointance (“friendship, familiarity”), from Old French acointier (“to acquaint”). Compare French accointance. Morphologically acquaint + -ance.

Synonyms

familiarity fellowship intimacy knowledge acquaintance kith

Related words

acquaint associate friend

Derived words

acquaintanced acquaintanceless acquaintance rape acquaintanceship chance acquaintance disacquaintance inacquaintance make someone's acquaintance nodding acquaintance nonacquaintance preacquaintance reacquaintance renew acquaintances scrape acquaintance semiacquaintance unacquaintance
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