Acquaintances
/əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
nounBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
A person known to one, but usually not a close friend.
/əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
nounneutralBeginner
General
People you know but are not close friends with.
I only have a few acquaintances in this new city.
💡 Simply: People you know, but are not close friends with.
More Examples
2
She bumped into an old acquaintance at the supermarket.
How It's Used
Social
"I met several acquaintances at the party."
Professional
"He maintains a network of professional acquaintances."
From Middle English aqueyntaunce, from Anglo-French acointance, from Old French acointance, from acointier "to become acquainted", from a- "to" + coint "known, familiar".
The word has been used in similar contexts since the Middle Ages, often referring to people known through social or business interactions.
Memory tip
Think of 'acquainted' – it means to know someone, but not necessarily well.
Practice
Base: acquaint
acquaintencesaquitances
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written