Acquired describes something gained or obtained, often through experience or purchase. In linguistics and medicine it can indicate a condition developed after birth rather than congenital. The term implies a process of attainment rather than innate possession, and is commonly used in formal or technical contexts to denote acquisition over time.
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"She acquired a taste for spicy foods during her travels."
"The company acquired several startups to expand its tech portfolio."
"He acquired the skill through years of practice and study."
"The illness was acquired after exposure to the contaminated water."
Acquired comes from the Latin acquirere, formed from ad- (toward) + quaerere (to seek, obtain). The verb acquirere evolved in Latin to mean ‘to obtain, gain, win.’ This Latin root entered English through Old French as acquerre/acquerre, with the sense of obtaining or collecting. In Middle English it appeared as acquerre and later acquired its present participle form acquired. The word solidified its meaning in legal, financial, and medical contexts to indicate something obtained through effort, experience, or external action, rather than inherent. The shift from a general “to obtain” sense to more specialized “to gain ownership or skill” occurred gradually as English borrowed from French and Latin in the medieval and early modern periods. First known uses in English literature appear in the 14th–15th centuries, with evolving usage in law, trade, and science as trade practices and professional expertise expanded. In contemporary use, acquired is frequently paired with nouns such as taste, knowledge, rights, or infections (acquired immune deficiency syndrome—AIDS—though acronymic usage is separate).
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Words that rhyme with "acquired"
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Pronounce as ə-ˈkwaɪr-əd in US and UK; primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: US: əˈkwaɪrd, UK: əˈkwaɪəd. Start with a schwa, then /ˈkwaɪər/ for the stressed syllable, and finish with a light /əd/ or a reduced /ɪd/ depending on pace. In careful speech, avoid tensing the /r/ too early; maintain a smooth glide from /ˈkwaɪ/ to /ər/. Audio references: listen to native pronunciations on Forvo or Cambridge audio demos for the exact vowel quality of /ˈkwaɪ/ and the post-vocalic /ər/ or /ə/ realization.
Common errors include pronouncing it as /ˈækwɪərd/ (mixing up the first vowel) and omitting the /r/ or misplacing it in non-rhotic accents. Another mistake is reducing the final /ər/ to a plain /ə/ or incorrectly voicing the final /d/. Correction: use a clear /ˈkwaɪr/ cluster with respectful rhotic or non-rhotic realization as appropriate, and finish with a light final /d/ or /ɪd/ depending on speed; keep the stressed /kwaɪ/ intact to avoid/əˈkwaɪərd/ simplifications.
In US English, /əˈkwaɪərd/ with rhotic /r/ and a distinct /ər/ at the end; the final syllable often reduced to /d/ in rapid speech. In UK English, /əˈkwaɪəd/ tends to be non-rhotic, so the /r/ is not pronounced and the final is a schwa+d or a glide; some speakers use /ɪd/ in the final cluster. In Australian English, you’ll hear /əˈkwaɪəd/ with a light rhotic or semi-rhotic approach and a more centralized or lighter /ə/ in the final. Listen for the quality of /ˈkwaɪ/ and the treatment of the final /ər/ or /əd/.
Key challenges include the /kwaɪ/ diphthong sequence and the post-vocalic /ər/ or /ə/ depending on accent. Speakers often misplace or omit the /r/ in non-rhotic varieties or blend the final /ɚ/ with a pale /d/ sound. The rapid transition from /ˈkwaɪ/ to /ər/ requires tongue root retraction and a relaxed lip position; small changes in syllable timing or stress placement can flip the word into an unclear form. Slow, precise articulation around the diphthong and final consonant helps maintain clarity.
Note the shift of /ˈkwaɪ/ cluster from stem to the second syllable, making the vowel glide into /ər/ or /əd/. The medial /r/ is a key differentiator in rhotic accents; in non-rhotic variants you’ll see the /r/ drop, affecting the following vowel’s quality. In careful enunciation, keep the /ɪ/ or /iː/ impact minimal, ensuring the final /d/ lands as a crisp stop or a soft, almost silent coda in rapid speech. Practice with minimal pairs like acquire to drill the /ˈkwaɪər/ vs /ˈkwaɪəd/ realization.
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