How to pronounce acquire
Say it like uh-KWY-er. Acquire has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KWY).
- uh
- KWY
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Acquire pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- KWYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of acquire
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: uh-KWY-uh.
What does acquire mean?
- To get.
- To gain, usually by one's own exertions; to get as one's own.“to acquire a skill”
- To become affected by an illness.
Where does acquire come from?
From Middle English acqueren, from Old French aquerre, from Latin acquirō; ad- + quaerō (“to seek for”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with acquire
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of acquire.
Questions about saying acquire
How do you pronounce acquire?
Say uh-KWY-er. The American pronunciation is /əˈkwaɪɚ/. In British English it is /əˈkwaɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in acquire?
Acquire has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KWY). Broken into parts: uh · KWY · er.
Is acquire pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /əˈkwaɪə/ (uh-KWY-uh).