acquired
v. · adj.-
1 to have gained or bought (v.) B2 Upper Intermediatethe past tense of 'acquire', meaning you got something or learned a new skill.
the past tense and past participle of 'acquire', denoting the act of gaining possession or attaining a specific mental or physical trait.
ExampleThe company acquired its smaller rival last year to expand its market share.
ExampleHaving acquired the necessary permits after months of bureaucratic delays, the developers finally broke ground on the new community centre.
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2 not from birth (adj.) C1 Advanced Technical Medicinedescribes a medical condition or a habit that you develop over time, rather than being born with it.
referring to a trait, disease, or condition that is not congenital but is developed after birth due to environmental factors or infection.
ExampleThe doctor explained that his hearing loss was acquired, not something he was born with.
ExampleThe study focused on acquired immunity, specifically how the body remembers pathogens after an initial exposure or vaccination.
UsageUsually placed before the noun it modifies.
- developed
- non congenital
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3 acquired taste (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediateused to describe something you didn't like at first but learned to enjoy over time.
part of the fixed idiom 'acquired taste', referring to a preference for something that is initially unpleasant or difficult to appreciate.
ExampleStrong blue cheese is often an acquired taste for many people.
ExampleThe 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'.