How to pronounce acquired
Say it like uh-KWY-erd. Acquired has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KWY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce acquired. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- KWY
- erd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Acquired 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.
- erdKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of acquired
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: uh-KWY-ud.
What does acquired mean?
- gotten through environmental forces“acquired characteristics (such as a suntan or a broken nose) cannot be passed on”
Words that rhyme with acquired
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of acquired.
Questions about saying acquired
How do you pronounce acquired?
Say uh-KWY-erd. The American pronunciation is /əˈkwaɪɚd/. In British English it is /əˈkwaɪəd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in acquired?
Acquired has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KWY). Broken into parts: uh · KWY · erd.
Is acquired 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 /əˈkwaɪəd/ (uh-KWY-ud).