English Dictionary

Definition of “acquaintance

acquaintance (əˈkweɪntənsPronunciation for acquaintance

Definitions

noun

  1. a person with whom one has been in contact but who is not a close friend
  2. knowledge of a person or thing, esp when slight
  3. See make the acquaintance of
  4. those persons collectively whom one knows
  5. philosophy the relation between a knower and the object of his knowledge, as contrasted with knowledge by description (esp in the phrase knowledge by acquaintance)

Alternative Forms

acˈquaintanceˌship noun

Quotations

  • "Should auld acquaintance be forgot,And never brought to mind?" Robert Burns
  • "I look upon every day to be lost, in which I do not make a new acquaintance" Samuel Johnson
  • "acquaintance: a person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to" Ambrose Bierce

Usage examples

  • My husband, I know, very much wants to renew and extend his short acquaintance with you.
    Low, Ona, Murky Shallows (1987)
  • Fizzer is most likely to arrive attached to an email message seemingly sent by a friend or acquaintance.
    New Scientist (2003)
  • The inquiry has also heard about speculation Stonechild was beaten and left in the area by acquaintance Gary Pratt.
    canada.com (2004)
  • Walking trails of varying lengths offer a more intimate acquaintance with the area.
    Independent (1999)
  • Fortunately, on greater acquaintance she also came to love Marseille even more than previously.
    Peter FitzSimons, NANCY WAKE (2002)

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