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Definition acquire in British English

acquire verb

[transitive] verb
/əˈkwaɪə(r)/
1

to get something, for example by buying it or being given it

Example

We acquired the shares for £1.75 each.

Example

his newly acquired BMW

Example

The business was acquired from Orion four years ago.

Synonyms and related words
2

to get new knowledge or a new skill by learning it

Example

How can such a large quantity of knowledge be acquired?

Example

the way children acquire language

Synonyms and related words
4

to get a disease, illness, or infection

Example

Any drug user who shares a needle is at risk of acquiring AIDS.

Synonyms and related words
5

to gradually develop or learn something

Example

I've never really acquired a taste for wine.

Example

We want people to acquire the habit of using public transport instead of their cars.

Synonyms and related words
Definition acquire in British English