acquire

verb transitive

UK /əˈkwaɪə(r)/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	acquire
he/she/it	acquires
present participle	acquiring
past tense	acquired
past participle	acquired

1
formalto get something, for example by buying it or being given it
We acquired the shares for £1.75 each.
newly acquired:
his newly acquired BMW
acquire something from someone:
The business was acquired from Orion four years ago.
Synonyms and related words
To buy something
buy
get
purchase
Synonyms and related words
To get something or someone
get
come by
accept
2
to get new knowledge or a new skill by learning it
How can such a large quantity of knowledge be acquired?
the way children acquire language
Synonyms and related words
To learn new skills or information
learn
train
master
3
to get a particular reputation, position, or name
educational institutions that have recently acquired university status
Synonyms and related words
Changing social or professional status
acquire
ascent
bankrupt
4
to get a disease, illness, or infection
Any drug user who shares a needle is at risk of acquiring AIDS.
Synonyms and related words
To have or develop an illness or symptom
suffer
get
contract
5
to gradually develop or learn something
acquire a taste for something (=start to like it):
I’ve never really acquired a taste for wine.
acquired taste (=something you do not like at first, but gradually start to enjoy):
Decaffeinated coffee is an acquired taste.
acquire the habit (of doing something) (=start to do something regularly, without thinking about why):
We want people to acquire the habit of using public transport instead of their cars.
Synonyms and related words
To learn new skills or information
learn
train
master

acquire ​‌‌

acquire ​‌‌

acquire

acquire