acquired
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.the past tense of 'acquire', meaning you got something or learned a new skill.
v.the past tense and past participle of 'acquire', denoting the act of gaining possession or attaining a specific mental or physical trait.
Simple“The company acquired its smaller rival last year to expand its market share.”
In context“Having acquired the necessary permits after months of bureaucratic delays, the developers finally broke ground on the new community centre.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
adj.describes a medical condition or a habit that you develop over time, rather than being born with it.
adj.referring to a trait, disease, or condition that is not congenital but is developed after birth due to environmental factors or infection.
Simple“The doctor explained that his hearing loss was acquired, not something he was born with.”
In context“The study focused on acquired immunity, specifically how the body remembers pathogens after an initial exposure or vaccination.”
UsageUsually placed before the noun it modifies.
Synonymsdevelopednon congenitalAntonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.used to describe something you didn't like at first but learned to enjoy over time.
adj.part of the fixed idiom 'acquired taste', referring to a preference for something that is initially unpleasant or difficult to appreciate.
Simple“Strong blue cheese is often an acquired taste for many people.”
In context“The minimalist aesthetic of the building proved to be an acquired taste, eventually winning over critics who initially found it cold.”
UsageAlmost exclusively used in the phrase 'an acquired taste'.
Synonyms
Usage acquired knowledge
“It’s being young again, with one illicitly acquired copy of GoldenEye to last you the summer and all the time in the world to pick the cartridge clean.”
“She said Oddbox acquired 6,000 cauliflower heads last week that were too dark for supermarkets to sell.”