acquaint

[uh-kweynt]

verb (used with object)

1. to make more or less familiar, aware, or conversant (usually followed bywith ).

   to acquaint the mayor with our plan.

2. to furnish with knowledge; inform (usually followed bywith ).

   to acquaint the manager with one's findings.

3. to bring into social contact; introduce (usually followed bywith ).

   She acquainted her roommate with my cousin.

acquaint

/ əˈkweɪnt /

verb

1. to make (a person) familiar or conversant (with); inform (of)

2. (foll by with) to introduce (to); bring into contact (with)

Other Word Forms

• preacquaint verb (used with object)
• reacquaint verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of acquaint¹

1250–1300; Middle English aqueinten, acointen < Anglo-French acointer, Old French acoint ( i ) er, verbal derivative of acointe familiar, known < Latin accognitus, past participle of accognōscere to recognize, equivalent to ac- ac- + co- co- + gni- know ¹ + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of acquaint¹

C13: via Old French and Medieval Latin from Latin accognitus, from accognōscere to know perfectly, from ad- (intensive) + cognōscere to know

Example Sentences

Jones is well acquainted with heavy prep work — for “CODA,” she learned American Sign Language to play the only hearing member of the Rossi family and how to fish.

From Los Angeles Times

This is standard fare - an opportunity for 'tracksuit staff' to acquaint themselves with the new coaching team and for the manager to start laying down his philosophy.

From BBC

And selling papers in front of the prestigious Sciences-Po university, he was acquainted with generations of future politicians – like President Macron.

From BBC

“It’s a sport that people are still getting acquainted with, so we don’t want to have that barrier to people trying our sports by saying it’s members-only,” Potter said.

From Los Angeles Times

Shiraishi later admitted to murdering nine suicidal victims and revealed that he got acquainted with them on Twitter, the social media platform now known as X.

From BBC

Related Words

• accustom 
• advise 
• apprise 
• enlighten 
• familiarize 
• inform 

When To Use

What is another way to say acquaint?

To acquaint two or more people is to bring them into social contact. How is acquaint different from introduce? Find out on Thesaurus.com.