What is the meaning of acquire?

verb

  • Come into the possession of something concrete or abstract.
    • usage: "She 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"
  • Take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect.
    • usage: "His 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"
  • Come to have or undergo a change of (physical features and attributes. )
    • usage: "He grew a beard"; "The patient developed abdominal pains"; "I got funny spots all over my body"; "Well-developed breasts"
  • Locate (a moving entity) by means of a tracking system such as radar.
  • Win something through one's efforts.
    • usage: "I acquired a passing knowledge of Chinese"; "Gain an understanding of international finance"
  • Gain knowledge or skills.
    • usage: "She learned dancing from her sister"; "I learned Sanskrit"; "Children acquire language at an amazing rate"
  • Gain through experience.
    • usage: "I 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"
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APAWordNet. (2010). acquire. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/acquire/definitions/1254624
ChicagoWordNet. 2010. "acquire" http://smartdefine.org/acquire/definitions/1254624 (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardWordNet 2010, acquire, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/acquire/definitions/1254624>.
MLAWordNet. "acquire" 23 October 2010. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/acquire/definitions/1254624>
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