Aquaintance vs. Acquaintance: Decoding the Right Spelling
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 14, 2024
"Aquaintance" is an incorrect spelling, while "Acquaintance" is correct. Acquaintance refers to a person known to one, but not a close friend.
Which is correct: Aquaintance or Acquaintance
How to spell Acquaintance?
Aquaintance is Incorrect
Acquaintance is Correct
How to remember correct spelling of Acquaintance?
Remember the phrase “A friend is an acquaintance with a 'c' for care” to recall the 'c' in "Acquaintance".
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
Think of "Acquaintance" as “Access a new quaint place” to memorize the 'ac' at the beginning.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
Relate to its origin: “Acquaintance” comes from “acquaint”, which has a 'c', emphasizing the need for 'c' in both words.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
Break it down: “Ac-quaint-ance”. Visualize a quaint house in an AC-cooled area.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
Use the mnemonic “An acquaintance can count on you” to remember the 'c' and 't'.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
Acquaintance Definitions
The process of becoming familiar with something
During her first week, she made the acquaintance of the company’s routines.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Slight knowledge or awareness about something or someone
He had only a brief acquaintance with the city’s nightlife.
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Dec 16, 2023
A person known to one, but not a close friend
I ran into an old acquaintance from college at the reunion.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Knowledge of a person acquired by a relationship less intimate than friendship.
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Oct 19, 2023
A relationship based on such knowledge
Struck up an acquaintance with our new neighbor.
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Oct 19, 2023
A person whom one knows.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Knowledge or information about something or someone
Has a passing acquaintance with Chinese history.
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Oct 19, 2023
(uncountable) A state of being acquainted with a person; originally indicating friendship, intimacy, but now suggesting a slight knowledge less deep than that of friendship; acquaintanceship.
I know of the man; but have no acquaintance with him.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
(countable) A person or persons with whom one is acquainted.
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Oct 19, 2023
(uncountable) Such people collectively; one's circle of acquaintances (with plural concord).
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Oct 19, 2023
Personal knowledge (with a specific subject etc.).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
A state of being acquainted, or of having intimate, or more than slight or superficial, knowledge; personal knowledge gained by intercourse short of that of friendship or intimacy; as, I know the man; but have no acquaintance with him.
Contract no friendship, or even acquaintance, with a guileful man.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
A person or persons with whom one is acquainted.
Montgomery was an old acquaintance of Ferguson.
Our admiration of a famous man lessens upon our nearer acquaintance with him.
We contract at last such a familiarity with them as makes it difficult and irksome for us to call off our minds.
It is in our power to confine our friendships and intimacies to men of virtue.
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Oct 19, 2023
Personal knowledge or information about someone or something
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Oct 19, 2023
A relationship less intimate than friendship
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Oct 19, 2023
A person with whom you are acquainted;
I have trouble remembering the names of all my acquaintances
We are friends of the family
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Oct 19, 2023
The state of being acquainted with something
Her acquaintance with classical music is impressive.
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Dec 16, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is the correct spelling of the word for a person you know but isn't a close friend?
The correct spelling is "Acquaintance". "Aquaintance" is a common misspelling.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
Can "Acquaintance" refer to something other than a person?
Yes, "Acquaintance" can also refer to slight knowledge or familiarity with a subject, place, or thing.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
What is the origin of the word "Acquaintance"?
"Acquaintance" originates from Middle English, derived from the Old French word "acointier", which means 'to make known' or 'to acquaint'.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
Is "Aquaintance" recognized in any English dictionaries?
No, "Aquaintance" is not recognized as a correct spelling in standard English dictionaries. The correct form is "Acquaintance".
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
Is "Acquaintance" used differently in British and American English?
The usage of "Acquaintance" is generally the same in both British and American English, referring to a person known to one but not a close friend.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
Can "Acquaintance" be used in a professional context?
Yes, "Acquaintance" can be used in a professional context to refer to someone you know in the business but are not closely associated with.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
How can I easily remember the spelling of "Acquaintance"?
You can remember the spelling of "Acquaintance" by recalling that it contains the word "quaint", a common English word.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
Does the misspelling "Aquaintance" appear frequently in English writing?
Yes, "Aquaintance" is a common misspelling, but it is not the correct form.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
What is the difference between an acquaintance and a friend?
An acquaintance is someone you know but are not close to, whereas a friend is someone with whom you have a deeper, more personal relationship.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
Why does "Acquaintance" have a 'c' in it?
The 'c' in "Acquaintance" comes from its root word "acquaint", which is derived from Old French "acointier", meaning 'to make known'.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
What is the plural form of "Acquaintance"?
The plural form of "Acquaintance" is "Acquaintances".
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
How can the word "Acquaintance" be used in a sentence?
Example: "I have several acquaintances at the gym, but few close friends."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
In what contexts is it appropriate to use "Acquaintance"?
"Acquaintance" is appropriate in both social and professional contexts to refer to someone known to you but not closely connected.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
Is the word "Acquaintance" related to any other English words?
Yes, "Acquaintance" is related to the verb "acquaint", which means to make someone aware of or familiar with something.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.