acquaint

IPA/əˈkweɪnt/
KK[əkwˈent]IPA/əˈkweɪnt/

acquaint — verb

  • acquaintpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • acquaintshe / she / it
  • acquaintedpast simple
  • acquainting-ing form

1. to help someone get to know a person, place, or subject by giving them relevant

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to help someone get to know a person, place, or subject by giving them relevant information or direct experience — for example, acquainting a new colleague with office routines, or acquainting oneself with a city's subway system after moving there.

Example

Samir attended a two-day workshop to acquaint himself with the new software.

reflexive pattern: acquaint oneself with [topic]

The school sent a letter to acquaint parents with the updated safety procedures.

Common collocations
  • acquaint yourself with
  • acquaint someone with
  • become acquainted with
  • get acquainted with
  • thoroughly acquainted with
Synonyms
  • familiarize

    less formal; very common in workplace and study contexts

  • introduce

    typically used for people meeting each other, not for subjects or places

  • orient

    more specific; focuses on helping someone find their way in a new environment

Antonyms
  • alienate

    to make someone feel unfamiliar or unwelcome

Grammar Patterns

acquaint + someone/oneself + with + something

Usage Note

Frequently used with a reflexive pronoun (oneself, myself, yourself, etc.) followed by 'with'. The passive form 'be / become / get acquainted with' is very common and often functions like an adjective meaning 'familiar with'. In everyday conversation, 'get to know' or 'familiarize oneself with' are more natural alternatives.

Common Mistakes

I acquainted my new job on the first day.
I acquainted myself with my new job on the first day.
'acquaint' always needs a direct object (the person being acquainted) followed by 'with' plus the topic.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All three words involve making someone aware of something new, but they differ in scope and formality. 'Acquaint' is the most formal and suggests giving someone enough background to feel comfortable with a person, place, or subject. 'Familiarize' is more neutral and widely used in professional contexts ('familiarize yourself with the handbook'). 'Introduce' is best for bringing people together for the first time, or presenting an idea for the first time. 'Orient' is the narrowest: it focuses on helping someone adjust to a new physical or social environment, like a new job or a new city. For example: 'The manager acquainted the new intern with company policy' (formal and broad), 'She familiarized herself with the filing system' (neutral, task-focused), 'He introduced his colleagues to a new method' (first-time exposure), 'The guide oriented the visitors to the museum layout' (spatial adjustment).

familiarize ↗introduce ↗orient ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • make someone's acquaintance
  • become acquainted with
  • get acquainted with
  • pleased to make your acquaintance

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'accognoscere' meaning 'to know well' or 'recognize', formed from 'ad-' (toward) + 'cognoscere' (to get to know). It passed through Old French 'acointier' (to make known) into Middle English as 'acointen'. The same Latin root gives us 'cognition', 'recognize', and 'know'. The modern spelling settled in the 1500s.