Nearby Words
noun
1.
a person known to one, but usually not a close friend.
2.
the state of being acquainted.
3.
personal knowledge as a result of study, experience, etc.: a good acquaintance with French wines.
4.
(used with a plural verb
) the persons with whom one is acquainted.
) the persons with whom one is acquainted. Also, ac·quaint·ance·ship (for defs. 2, 3).
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English aqueinta(u)nce, acoyntaunce < Old French acointance. See acquaint, -ance
1250–1300; Middle English aqueinta(u)nce, acoyntaunce < Old French acointance. See acquaint, -ance
Related forms
non·ac·quaint·ance, noun
non·ac·quaint·ance·ship, noun
pre·ac·quaint·ance, noun
pseu·do·ac·quaint·ance, noun
re·ac·quaint·ance, noun
Synonyms
1. Acquaintance, associate, companion, friend refer to a person with whom one is in contact. An acquaintance is someone recognized by sight or someone known, though not intimately: a casual acquaintance. An associate is a person who is often in one's company, usually because of some work, enterprise, or pursuit in common: a business associate. A companion is a person who shares one's activities, fate, or condition: a traveling companion; companion in despair. A friend is a person with whom one is on intimate terms and for whom one feels a warm affection: a trusted friend. 3. familiarity, awareness.
1. Acquaintance, associate, companion, friend refer to a person with whom one is in contact. An acquaintance is someone recognized by sight or someone known, though not intimately: a casual acquaintance. An associate is a person who is often in one's company, usually because of some work, enterprise, or pursuit in common: a business associate. A companion is a person who shares one's activities, fate, or condition: a traveling companion; companion in despair. A friend is a person with whom one is on intimate terms and for whom one feels a warm affection: a trusted friend. 3. familiarity, awareness.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Acquaintance
is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
Example Sentences
- However, he presumes a prior acquaintance with Twain's work.
- Bonnet was thrilled to make Blackbeard's acquaintance, and the two pirate captains agreed to cruise together.
- My acquaintance with Keats began awkwardly.
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
acquaintance
late 14c., "person with whom one is acquainted;" also "personal knowledge;" from O.Fr. acointance, noun of action from acointer (see acquaint). Acquaintant, 17c., would have been better in the "person known" sense, but is now obsolete.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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