Acquire Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of ACQUIRE

[+ object]

1

formal

:

to get (something)

:

to come to own (something)

• They're planning to acquire [=_buy_] a new home in the country.
• He acquired [=_got, inherited_] a small fortune after the death of her parents.
• The two ships were acquired by the navy after the war.
• The team acquired three new players this year.

:

to come to have (something)

• She dreamed of acquiring [=_gaining, getting_] control of the company.
• When I saw her next she had somehow managed to acquire a few cuts and bruises. [=she had a few cuts and bruises]
• The old word has acquired a new meaning.
• This apparently minor event has acquired increasing significance in recent weeks.

2

:

to gain (a new skill, ability, etc.) usually by your own effort

• She quickly acquired [=_gained_] fluency in French.
• He is studying the way that language is acquired by children.
• acquire knowledge
• He has acquired a reputation as a careful/careless worker. [=people regard him as a careful/careless worker]

◊ When people acquire a taste for something, they like something that they did not like before.

• Although he usually avoided unusual foods, he eventually began to acquire a taste for raw fish.

◊ An acquired taste is something or someone that is not easily or immediately liked.

• Brussels sprouts are an acquired taste for many people.
• I admit that she is something of an acquired taste, but I think her art is wonderful.