acquaintance
UK/ə'kweɪnt(ə)ns/US/ә'kweintәns/
TOEFLGREB1
Definitions
n.
A person one knows slightly, not a close friend.
熟人；泛泛之交。
n.
Slight knowledge or experience of something.
（对某事物的）浅识，初步了解。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedacquaintto, toward
+
-anceknow, recognize
=acquaintance
acquaint ('bring to knowledge of') + -ance = 'the state of being acquainted' or the person you're acquainted with. Two senses follow: a person you know slightly, and slight knowledge of a subject (a passing acquaintance with French).
Common Collocations
- 1.a casual acquaintance泛泛之交
- 2.make someone's acquaintance结识某人
- 3.passing acquaintance浅识
- 4.wide circle of acquaintances广泛的人脉
Example Sentences
- 1.
He's just an acquaintance, not a close friend.
- 2.
She has a passing acquaintance with classical music.
- 3.
I made his acquaintance at a conference last year.
Easily Confused
acquaintance vs friend — an acquaintance is someone you know only slightly; a friend is someone you're close to. 'A friend of mine' implies warmth; 'an acquaintance of mine' deliberately keeps distance.