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acquire - definition and synonyms


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verb [transitive] acquire pronunciation in American English /əˈkwaɪr/
Word Forms
present tense
present participleacquiring
past tenseacquired
past participleacquired
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  1. 1
    formal to get something, for example by buying it or being given it
    newly acquired:

    his newly acquired BMW

    acquire something from someone:

    The business was acquired from Orion four years ago.

  2. 2
    to get new knowledge or a new skill by learning it

    How can such a large quantity of knowledge be acquired?

    the way children acquire language

  3. 5
    to gradually develop or learn something
    acquire a taste for something (=start to like it):

    I’ve never really acquired a taste for wine.

    acquired taste (=something you do not like at first, but gradually start to enjoy):

    Decaffeinated coffee is an acquired taste.

    acquire the habit (of doing something) (=start to do something regularly, without thinking about why):

    We want people to acquire the habit of using public transportation instead of their cars.

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an afternoon full of crafts

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