Acquaintance


a person known to one, but usually not a close friend.
the state of being or casually familiar with someone or something:
As far as I know, no one of my acquaintance has traveled around the world.
personal knowledge as a result of study, experience, etc.:
a good acquaintance with French wines.
(used with a plural verb) the persons with whom one is acquainted.
Contemporary Examples

In the early 2000s, an acquaintance told Sun about the possibility of doing business in Ethiopia.
‘Made in China’ Now Being Made in Africa Brendon Hong August 22, 2014

And then she realizes, through an acquaintance, that there is still something better out there.
Daddy Runs a Meth Lab Joel Keller March 7, 2009

acquaintance made another “appointment” for the next month as well, and I again agreed to give the person a ride.
The Oxycontin Plague David Frum May 2, 2013

Cain acknowledged knowing White, telling CNN she was an “acquaintance” he had tried to help.
Cain’s ‘Consensual’ Conduct with Accuser Howard Kurtz November 27, 2011

He insulted a female poet of his acquaintance by remarking “that she and her family were Jews.”
Borges Had A Genius For Literature But Not Love Or Much Else Allen Barra October 23, 2014

Historical Examples

Does he come under the recommendatory ‘firman’ of any dear friend or acquaintance?
The Daltons, Volume I (of II) Charles James Lever

Keep me posted, please, as to your success in making their acquaintance.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking Isabella Alden

But my acquaintance with him is wholly of a public character.
Edmond Dants Edmund Flagg

By the way, Miss Gracie, I think he is an acquaintance of yours.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking Isabella Alden

My questions are these—Have you put an end to that acquaintance?
The Belton Estate Anthony Trollope

noun
a person with whom one has been in contact but who is not a close friend
knowledge of a person or thing, esp when slight
make the acquaintance of, to come into social contact with
those persons collectively whom one knows
(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)
n.

c.1300, “state of being acquainted;” late 14c., “person with whom one is acquainted;” also “personal knowledge;” from Old French acointance “acquaintance, friendship, familiarity,” noun of action from acointer (see acquaint). Acquaintant (17c.), would have been better in the “person known” sense but is now obsolete.
see:

nodding acquaintance
scrape up an acquaintance

Read Also:

  • Acquaintance rape

    rape committed by a person who is acquainted with the victim. Contemporary Examples Non-stranger rape or acquaintance rape is real and happens every day in America. The Real Victims in Rape Cases Like Greg Kelly’s Rikki Klieman January 29, 2012 These were, remember, college students in an age of widespread awareness of acquaintance rape. Sex, […]

  • Acquaintance violence

    noun impulsive aggressive behaviour towards someone with whom the attacker has been in contact

  • Acquaintanceship

    a person known to one, but usually not a close friend. the state of being or casually familiar with someone or something: As far as I know, no one of my acquaintance has traveled around the world. personal knowledge as a result of study, experience, etc.: a good acquaintance with French wines. (used with a […]

  • Acquainted

    having personal knowledge as a result of study, experience, etc.; informed (usually followed by with): to be acquainted with law. brought into social contact; made familiar: people acquainted through mutual friends. to make more or less familiar, aware, or conversant (usually followed by with): to acquaint the mayor with our plan. to furnish with knowledge; […]

  • Acquainting

    to make more or less familiar, aware, or conversant (usually followed by with): to acquaint the mayor with our plan. to furnish with knowledge; inform (usually followed by with): to acquaint the manager with one’s findings. to bring into social contact; introduce (usually followed by with): She acquainted her roommate with my cousin. Historical Examples […]


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