How to pronounce acquisition
Say it like ak-wuh-ZISH-un. Acquisition has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (ZISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce acquisition. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ak
- wuh
- ZISH
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Acquisition pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- akGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- wuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ZISHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of acquisition
American and British speakers say acquisition in essentially the same way: /ˌækwəˈzɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌækwɪˈzɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: ak-wih-ZISH-un.
What does acquisition mean?
- the act of contracting or assuming or acquiring possession of something“the acquisition of wealth”“the acquisition of one company by another”
- something acquired“a recent acquisition by the museum”
- the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge“the child's acquisition of language”
Where does acquisition come from?
From Middle English, borrowed from Old French acquisicion, from Latin acquisītiō, from acquīrō, acquīrere; equivalent to acquire + -ition.
Words that rhyme with acquisition
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of acquisition.
Questions about saying acquisition
How do you pronounce acquisition?
Say ak-wuh-ZISH-un. The American pronunciation is /ˌækwəˈzɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌækwɪˈzɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in acquisition?
Acquisition has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (ZISH). Broken into parts: ak · wuh · ZISH · un.
Do Americans and Brits say acquisition the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌækwəˈzɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌækwɪˈzɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.