unacquainted

IPA/ˌʌnəˈkweɪntɪd/
IPA/ˌʌnəˈkweɪntɪd/

unacquainted — adjective

  • unacquaintedpositive
  • more unacquaintedcomparative
  • most unacquaintedsuperlative

1. If you are unacquainted with a person, you have never met them before and do not

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

If you are unacquainted with a person, you have never met them before and do not know anything about them personally.

Example

Sven was introduced to Yumi at the party, but the two were completely unacquainted.

completely unacquainted (intensifier pattern)

Bilal felt awkward at the meeting because he was unacquainted with anyone in the room.

unacquainted with + anyone / group of people

Common collocations
  • completely unacquainted
  • entirely unacquainted
  • largely unacquainted
  • unacquainted with anyone
  • unacquainted with the guests
  • unacquainted with the staff
Synonyms
  • unfamiliar

    broader; can apply to people, places, or things

  • unknown to

    implies the person is not known at all, with no focus on expected familiarity

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be unacquainted with [someone]

Usage Note

Frequently used in the structure 'be unacquainted with + person/group'. The word has a formal tone; in everyday conversation, 'don't know' or 'have never met' is more natural.

Common Mistakes

I am unacquainted to him.
I am unacquainted with him.
The adjective always takes the preposition 'with', not 'to'.
She is unacquainted the new director.
She is unacquainted with the new director.
The preposition 'with' is required and cannot be dropped.

2. If you are unacquainted with a subject, activity, or situation, you have had no

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

If you are unacquainted with a subject, activity, or situation, you have had no chance to learn about it or experience it, so you do not understand it.

Example

Dewi was hired despite being completely unacquainted with computer programming.

completely unacquainted with + technical subject

Mira admitted she was unacquainted with local customs when she first arrived in the village.

unacquainted with + cultural / social concept

Common collocations
  • completely unacquainted with
  • entirely unacquainted with
  • still unacquainted with
  • unacquainted with the basics
  • unacquainted with the system
  • unacquainted with the concept
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be unacquainted with [subject/situation]

Usage Note

Often used to describe a state of inexperience or lack of exposure rather than a lack of natural ability. The object is typically an abstract noun (subject, system, custom, practice, skill).

Common Mistakes

I am unacquainted of the rules.
I am unacquainted with the rules.
'With' is the only correct preposition after unacquainted; 'of' is not used.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

All four words describe a lack of knowledge or experience, but they differ in scope, tone, and implication. 'Unfamiliar with' is the most neutral and widely used synonym — it simply states you do not know something ('I am unfamiliar with this software'). 'Inexperienced in' focuses on practical skill gained through practice, not book knowledge; it often implies time is the missing factor. 'Ignorant of' carries a harsher, more critical tone, suggesting the person should know better or is at fault for not knowing ('She was ignorant of basic safety rules'). 'Unaccustomed to' emphasises that something feels strange or unusual because the person has no habit of experiencing it, rather than a gap in knowledge ('Visitors are unaccustomed to the intense heat'). For most situations, 'unfamiliar with' is the safest choice for B2 learners. Use 'inexperienced in' when talking about hands-on practice, and avoid 'ignorant of' unless you mean to imply blame or lack of awareness.

unfamiliar withinexperienced inignorant ofunaccustomed to

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • be unacquainted with
  • remain unacquainted with
  • go unacquainted with

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'unacquainted' is formed by adding the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') to the past participle 'acquainted', which comes from the Middle English 'acointen', adopted from Old French 'acointier' ('to make known'). The French verb traces back to the Latin 'accognitare', based on 'cognoscere' ('to know, get to know'). The word has been used in English since the 1500s with the same core meaning of not being personally or socially familiar with someone or something.

First known use

1565

1565, in the meaning defined above