English dictionary



Info: This web site is based on WordNet 3.0 from Princeton University.

English verb: acquire

1. acquire (possession) come into the possession of something concrete or abstract


SamplesShe got a lot of paintings from her uncle.
They acquired a new pet.
Get your results the next day.
Get permission to take a few days off from work.


ExamplesThe children acquire the ball


Synonymsget


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Somebody ----s something from somebody


Narrower (hyponym)accept, acquire, benefit, borrow, bring in, buy, buy, call for, capture, catch, catch, charter, clear, collect, come by, come into, come up, come upon, earn, earn, engage, enter upon, express, extract, find, find, find, find, gain, gain, gain, garner, gather up, get, get back, get hold, glom, have, have, hire, inherit, isolate, lease, line up, luck into, make, obtain, partake, partake in, pick up, pick up, poll, preempt, preempt, press out, profit, pull in, purchase, realise, realize, receive, reclaim, recoup, recover, recover, recuperate, regain, regain, rent, repossess, retrieve, share, take, take, take in, turn, win, win back


Verb groupfind, get, incur, obtain, receive

2. acquire (change) take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect


SamplesHis voice took on a sad tone.
The story took a new turn.
He adopted an air of superiority.
She assumed strange manners.
The gods assume human or animal form in these fables.


Synonymsadopt, assume, take, take on


Pattern of useSomething ----s something


Broader (hypernym)change


Narrower (hyponym)re-assume

3. acquire (body) come to have or undergo a change of (physical features and attributes)


SamplesHe grew a beard.
The patient developed abdominal pains.
I got funny spots all over my body.
Well-developed breasts.


Synonymsdevelop, get, grow, produce


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)change


Narrower (hyponym)cut, feather, fledge, get up, leaf, pod, pupate, regrow, spring, sprout, stock, stool, teethe, tiller, work up


Verb groupacquire, develop, evolve

4. acquire (stative) locate (a moving entity) by means of a tracking system such as radar


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)locate, situate

5. acquire (possession) win something through one's efforts


SamplesI acquired a passing knowledge of Chinese.
Gain an understanding of international finance.


Synonymsgain, win


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s something from somebody


Broader (hypernym)acquire, get


Narrower (hyponym)cozen


Antonymslose

6. acquire (cognition) gain knowledge or skills


SamplesShe learned dancing from her sister.
I learned Sanskrit.
Children acquire language at an amazing rate.


Synonymslarn, learn


Pattern of useSomebody ----s.
Somebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s PP.
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE


Narrower (hyponym)absorb, assimilate, catch up, hit the books, ingest, relearn, study, take in

7. acquire (change) gain through experience


SamplesI acquired a strong aversion to television.
Children must develop a sense of right and wrong.
Dave developed leadership qualities in his new position.
Develop a passion for painting.


Synonymsdevelop, evolve


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)change


Verb groupacquire, develop, develop, develop, develop, explicate, formulate, get, grow, produce









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