If you’ve ever wondered whether you should write acquire or aquire, the answer is simple: “acquire” is the only correct spelling in English. The word “aquire” is a misspelling and should be avoided in academic, professional, business, and everyday writing.
Many people accidentally leave out the “c” because the pronunciation makes it easy to overlook. Spell-checkers often catch the mistake, but understanding why “acquire” is correct will help you remember it permanently.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Whether acquire and aquire are both correct
- Why people confuse these spellings
- The meaning of acquire
- Pronunciation and grammar
- Examples in different contexts
- Memory tricks
- Common mistakes
- Formal and informal usage
- Synonyms and related words
- Frequently asked questions
By the end of this article, you’ll never hesitate when choosing between acquire vs aquire again.
Quick Answer
| Word | Correct? | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Acquire | ✅ Yes | To get, obtain, gain, or develop something |
| Aquire | ❌ No | Incorrect spelling of acquire |
Correct Example:
She hopes to acquire new skills this year.
Incorrect Example:
She hopes to aquire new skills this year. ❌
Is It “Acquire” or “Aquire”?
The correct spelling is always acquire.
The spelling aquire is a common typo caused by leaving out the letter c.
English dictionaries recognize only:
- ✅ acquire
- ❌ aquire
Whether you’re writing:
- school assignments
- research papers
- business emails
- resumes
- novels
- websites
- social media captions
you should always use acquire.
What Does “Acquire” Mean?
Acquire is a verb.
Dictionary Definition
Acquire means:
- to obtain something
- to gain possession of something
- to develop a skill or habit
- to earn knowledge through learning or experience
It usually refers to something gained gradually or intentionally.
Examples:
- acquire knowledge
- acquire experience
- acquire property
- acquire confidence
- acquire wealth
Why Do People Spell It “Aquire”?
The confusion happens because English pronunciation doesn’t clearly emphasize the c.
When spoken quickly,
acquire
sounds similar to
a-kwire
Many people naturally assume the spelling should be:
aquire
However, English spelling preserves the historical form of the word.
Pronunciation
Acquire
Pronounced:
/əˈkwaɪər/
Sounds like:
uh-KWIRE
Notice that although the c isn’t strongly heard, it is still required in spelling.
Why “Acquire” Has a Silent C
The word comes from Latin.
Original Latin:
acquirere
Meaning:
to gain
to obtain
Over time, English kept the c, even though modern pronunciation makes it less noticeable.
Many English words preserve historical spellings.
Examples:
- scissors
- scene
- science
- muscle
- acquire
Acquire vs Aquire Comparison Table
| Feature | Acquire | Aquire |
|---|---|---|
| Correct spelling | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Dictionary word | Yes | No |
| Used in formal writing | Yes | Never |
| Used in academic writing | Yes | No |
| Accepted in business writing | Yes | No |
| Appears in dictionaries | Yes | No |
| Grammarly accepts it | Yes | No |
| Microsoft Word accepts it | Yes | No |
Grammar: What Part of Speech Is “Acquire”?
Acquire is a verb.
Forms include:
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Base | acquire |
| Third person | acquires |
| Past tense | acquired |
| Past participle | acquired |
| Present participle | acquiring |
Examples:
- I acquire new books every month.
- She acquires experience quickly.
- They acquired a new office.
- He is acquiring leadership skills.
Meaning in Different Contexts
Acquiring Knowledge
One of the most common uses.
Examples:
- Students acquire knowledge through practice.
- Reading helps children acquire vocabulary.
- Scientists acquire evidence before drawing conclusions.
Acquiring Skills
Examples:
- She acquired excellent communication skills.
- Athletes acquire discipline over time.
- Musicians acquire better timing through practice.
Acquiring Property
Examples:
- The company acquired new land.
- He acquired several rental houses.
- Investors acquire valuable assets.
Acquiring Wealth
Examples:
- They acquired wealth through hard work.
- She acquired financial independence.
Acquiring Experience
Examples:
- New employees acquire practical experience quickly.
- Volunteers acquire leadership abilities.
Literal Meaning vs Figurative Meaning
Literal
Receiving something physically.
Example:
- They acquired a new building.
Figurative
Developing something that cannot be touched.
Example:
- She acquired confidence.
- He acquired patience.
- The child acquired good manners.
Formal vs Informal Usage
Acquire is naturally more formal than simpler alternatives.
| Formal | Informal |
|---|---|
| acquire | get |
| acquire | pick up |
| acquire | gain |
| acquire | receive |
Formal:
The organization acquired additional funding.
Informal:
The organization got more funding.
Business Usage
Business professionals frequently use acquire.
Examples:
- The company acquired another business.
- We acquired new customers.
- The startup acquired fresh investment.
- The corporation acquired valuable patents.
Academic Usage
Academic writing commonly uses acquire.
Examples:
- Children acquire language naturally.
- Researchers acquired new data.
- Participants acquired practical skills.
Technical Usage
Technology:
- acquire data
- acquire signals
- acquire images
Engineering:
- acquire measurements
Medical:
- acquire immunity
- acquire infection
Computer Science:
- acquire a lock
- acquire resources
Journalism Usage
News writers frequently use acquire.
Examples:
- The museum acquired a rare painting.
- Police acquired additional evidence.
- The company acquired a competitor.
Sports Usage
Sports commentators often use acquire.
Examples:
- The team acquired a new striker.
- The club acquired veteran talent.
- Management acquired experienced coaches.
International English
Good news:
Both American English and British English use exactly the same spelling.
| Variant | Correct |
|---|---|
| American English | acquire |
| British English | acquire |
| Canadian English | acquire |
| Australian English | acquire |
| New Zealand English | acquire |
There is no regional spelling difference.
Word History (Etymology)
Acquire entered English through Old French and ultimately comes from the Latin word acquirere.
The Latin parts mean:
- ad = toward
- quaerere = seek
Originally, it meant:
to seek after
Later it developed the modern meaning:
to gain or obtain
Dictionary-Style Definition
Acquire (verb)
Meaning:
- To gain possession of something.
- To learn or develop something.
- To obtain through effort.
- To receive over time.
Synonyms
Depending on context:
- obtain
- get
- gain
- secure
- collect
- earn
- receive
- develop
- learn
- win
- gather
- procure
- achieve
- attain
- inherit
Antonyms
- lose
- surrender
- give away
- discard
- forfeit
- abandon
- relinquish
- release
Related Words
- acquisition
- acquired
- acquiring
- acquirer
- reacquire
- acquisition cost
- acquisition strategy
Common Collocations
Native English speakers commonly say:
- acquire knowledge
- acquire skills
- acquire experience
- acquire property
- acquire assets
- acquire wealth
- acquire confidence
- acquire language
- acquire information
- acquire permission
- acquire customers
- acquire data
- acquire evidence
- acquire expertise
- acquire qualifications
Common Phrases
Examples include:
- acquire new habits
- acquire a taste for coffee
- acquire ownership
- acquire legal rights
- acquire market share
- acquire a reputation
- acquire citizenship
- acquire influence
Idiomatic Expressions
Although acquire is not commonly found inside traditional idioms, it appears in many fixed expressions:
- acquire a taste for
- acquire an appreciation for
- acquire momentum
- acquire authority
- acquire prestige
Everyday Examples
- I want to acquire better cooking skills.
- She acquired confidence after speaking publicly.
- We acquired a new car.
- The child acquired reading skills quickly.
- He acquired several useful contacts.
- Our company acquired another business.
- They acquired valuable experience.
- She acquired fluency through daily practice.
- We acquired better equipment.
- The museum acquired ancient artifacts.
Academic Examples
- Students acquire vocabulary through reading.
- Researchers acquired additional evidence.
- Children acquire grammar naturally.
- Learners acquire pronunciation gradually.
Business Examples
- The company acquired new technology.
- We acquired several important clients.
- Investors acquired additional shares.
- The firm acquired valuable intellectual property.
Technical Examples
- The software acquired system resources.
- The scanner acquired the image.
- Scientists acquired satellite data.
- Sensors acquired measurements every second.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1
❌ aquire
✅ acquire
Mistake 2
❌ aquiring
✅ acquiring
Mistake 3
❌ aquired
✅ acquired
Mistake 4
❌ aquisition
✅ acquisition
Notice that several related words also contain the c.
Awkward vs Natural Examples
| Awkward/Incorrect | Natural |
|---|---|
| I aquired experience. | I acquired experience. |
| She wants to aquire knowledge. | She wants to acquire knowledge. |
| They are aquiring skills. | They are acquiring skills. |
| The company will aquire assets. | The company will acquire assets. |
Memory Tricks to Remember the Correct Spelling
1. Remember the Family
Think of related words:
- acquire
- acquired
- acquiring
- acquisition
Every word keeps the c.
2. Think of “Acquire Contains C”
Repeat:
Acquire contains C.
The letter never disappears.
3. Learn the Pattern
Many words beginning with ac- keep the c:
- accept
- accompany
- accomplish
- accumulate
- accommodate
- acquire
When Should You Use “Acquire”?
Use acquire whenever you mean:
- get
- obtain
- earn
- gain
- develop
Examples:
- acquire information
- acquire customers
- acquire property
- acquire confidence
- acquire skills
- acquire wealth
Should You Ever Use “Aquire”?
No.
There are no situations where aquire is considered correct in modern English.
If you accidentally type it, replace it with:
acquire
Professional Writing Recommendation
For every type of writing, use acquire.
| Writing Type | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Academic | Use acquire |
| Business | Use acquire |
| Journalism | Use acquire |
| Technical | Use acquire |
| Legal | Use acquire |
| Government | Use acquire |
| Blogging | Use acquire |
| Social media | Use acquire |
| Marketing | Use acquire |
| Use acquire |
Quick Checklist
Before publishing, ask yourself:
- Is it spelled acquire?
- Did I accidentally remove the c?
- Did spell-check approve it?
- Are related words also spelled correctly?
If yes, you’re using the correct spelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “aquire” ever correct?
No. Aquire is always a misspelling. The correct word is acquire.
Why do people write “aquire”?
People often omit the c because the pronunciation does not strongly emphasize it.
Is “acquire” American or British English?
It is correct in both American and British English, with no spelling difference.
What does “acquire” mean?
It means to obtain, gain, develop, or come into possession of something through effort, learning, purchase, or experience.
Is “acquired” spelled with a C?
Yes. The correct past tense and past participle is acquired.
What is the noun form of “acquire”?
The noun is acquisition, which refers to the act of obtaining something or the thing that has been obtained.
Can “acquire” mean learning a skill?
Yes. You can acquire knowledge, language, experience, habits, confidence, and many other abilities over time.
What is the easiest synonym for “acquire”?
The simplest synonym is get, although gain, obtain, and develop are often better choices in formal writing.
How can I remember the correct spelling of “acquire”?
Think of the related word acquisition. Since it always includes the letter c, acquire does too.
Conclusion
When comparing acquire vs aquire, the choice is straightforward: acquire is the only correct spelling, while aquire is a spelling mistake that should never appear in polished writing. Whether you’re writing an academic paper, business report, blog post, news article, or casual email, acquire is the standard form recognized across American, British, Canadian, Australian, and other English varieties.
To avoid errors, remember that acquire comes from the Latin acquirere, and all of its related forms—acquired, acquiring, and acquisition—retain the letter c. If you’re ever unsure, think of the phrase “Acquire contains C” or connect it to acquisition. With that simple memory trick, you’ll confidently choose the correct spelling every time.
