acquires; acquired; acquiring
1
formal
: to get (something) : to come to own (something)
They're planning to acquire [=buy] a new home in the country.
He acquired [=got, inherited] a small fortune after the death of her parents.
The two ships were acquired by the navy after the war.
The team acquired three new players this year.
: to come to have (something)
She dreamed of acquiring [=gaining, getting] control of the company.
When I saw her next she had somehow managed to acquire a few cuts and bruises. [=she had a few cuts and bruises]
The old word has acquired a new meaning.
This apparently minor event has acquired increasing significance in recent weeks.
2
: to gain (a new skill, ability, etc.) usually by your own effort
She quickly acquired [=gained] fluency in French.
He is studying the way that language is acquired by children.
acquire knowledge
He has acquired a reputation as a careful/careless worker. [=people regard him as a careful/careless worker]
Note: When people acquire a taste for something, they like something that they did not like before.
Note: An acquired taste is something or someone that is not easily or immediately liked.
Cite this Entry
“Acquire.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/acquire. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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