Acquire
To gain possession of something, often through effort or time; to learn or develop a skill, ability, or quality.
verbAcquire
To gain possession of something, often through effort or time; to learn or develop a skill, ability, or quality.
verbImagine This
Imagine a student saving money and buying a used guitar; over months of practice, the student gradually acquires the ability to strum smoothly and to play chords they once could not.
Sounds Like
uh-KWY-uhr
Looks Like
Looks like acquaint and inquire (similar pattern and spelling).
Remember This
Acquire can refer to tangible things (a car, a house) or intangible things (a language, a skill, knowledge). It comes from a root meaning to seek toward and often implies effort leading to possession.
Other Forms
Connect With
obtain, gain, procure, secure, attain, learn
Note
Use acquire with a direct object (you acquire something). Do not say 'acquire of.' Common pattern: acquire a skill, acquire wealth. 'Obtain' is more neutral; 'acquire' often suggests effort or gradual development. The past participle 'acquired' can describe something learned or obtained in the past.