Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

acquire

/əˈkwaɪɚ/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.13 in modern English

Syllables
ac-quire
IPA
/əˈkwaɪɚ/
18
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To get.

Transitive verb

verb

To gain, usually by one's own exertions; to get as one's own.

Transitive verb

verb

To become affected by an illness.

verb

To sample signals and convert them into digital values.

verb

To begin tracking a mobile target with a particular detector or sight, generally with the implication that an attack on the target thereby becomes possible.

Canadian usage; American usage

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English acqueren, from Old French aquerre, from Latin acquirō; ad- + quaerō (“to seek for”). See quest.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: acqueren, aquerre, acquirō

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /əˈkwaɪɚ/
  • British English: /əˈkwaɪə/

Usage

Inflected Forms

acquires (present, singular) acquiring (participle, present) acquired (participle, past) acquired (past) no-table-tags (table tags) glossary (inflection template) acquired (first person, past) acquirest (archaic, present) acquired (past, second person) acquiredst (archaic, past) acquireth (archaic, present) acquired (past, singular)

Derived Forms

acquihire acquirability acquirable acquiree acquirer acquiry preacquire reacquire unacquire

Phrases

acquired taste after-acquired title pre-acquired

Frequently Paired Words

acquisition acquirement acquisitive acquisitory obtain reach

Synonyms

contract catch get attain come by earn gain obtain procure secure win achieve

Antonyms

abandon lose discard dispose

Rhymes With

fire higher entire prior require desire wire hire buyer tire liar cease-fire

Questions

How do you pronounce acquire?
The recorded pronunciation is /əˈkwaɪɚ/.
What does acquire mean?
To get.
Where does acquire come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce acquire

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “acquire”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/əˈkwaɪɚ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “acquire”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “acquire” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.