acquisitive

/əˈkwɪzətɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈkwɪzətɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /ə-ˈkwi-zə-tiv/ (ame, mw)

acquisitive — adjective

  • acquisitivepositive
  • more acquisitivecomparative
  • most acquisitivesuperlative

1. having a strong desire to get more money or possessions, often far beyond what a

1.形容詞C1
釋義

having a strong desire to get more money or possessions, often far beyond what anyone could reasonably need.

例句

Takuya's acquisitive nature led him to buy three cars even though he lived alone.

acquisitive nature — typical noun collocation

The acquisitive culture of the 1980s celebrated wealth and luxury above all else.

同義詞
  • greedy

    more general and common; can apply to food, power, or money, while acquisitive is mostly about possessions

  • avaricious

    stronger and more formal than acquisitive; implies an intense, almost obsessive greed for wealth

  • materialistic

    focuses on valuing material goods over spiritual or intellectual matters; less active than acquisitive

反義詞
  • generous

    opposite in behaviour — willing to give rather than take

  • frugal

    describes someone careful with money, not driven to acquire more

文法句型

acquisitive + noun

用法筆記

Frequently used before nouns such as nature, culture, instinct, or habits. More common in formal writing and critical commentary than in everyday conversation.

常見錯誤

❌He is very acquisitive with food.
✅He is very greedy with food.
💡acquisitive specifically describes the drive to own or collect things, not the desire to consume food or drink.

2. describes a company that actively buys other businesses to expand, rather than g

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describes a company that actively buys other businesses to expand, rather than growing through its own operations.

例句

The acquisitive tech firm bought three smaller start-ups in a single year.

acquisitive + tech firm / company — business collocation

Market analysts warned that the bank's acquisitive strategy might lead to serious financial strain.

同義詞
  • expansionist

    focuses on growth in general, not specifically through buying other companies

  • merger-minded

    less common and more informal; specifically describes a company looking to merge with or buy others

反義詞
  • organic-growth

    describes a company that grows by developing its own products or markets rather than buying others

文法句型

acquisitive + noun (company, firm, strategy)

用法筆記

Chiefly used in business journalism and financial analysis. The noun it modifies is typically company, firm, strategy, approach, or culture. Not used for individuals making routine purchases.

常見錯誤

❌The acquisitive manager bought new office furniture.
✅The acquisitive firm bought a smaller competitor.
💡in this business sense, acquisitive describes companies and their strategies, not individuals doing routine shopping.