acquired

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Gained by effort, learning, experience, or a particular event, rather than existing from birth or being made internally.

   Grammar: Usually comes before a noun: an acquired skill; it can follow a linking verb in contrasts: the skill is acquired, not innate.

   Patterns

   • an acquired skill/habit/taste
   • acquired through something
   • acquired over time
   • acquired from someone/something

   Public speaking is an acquired skill that improves with practice.

   She has acquired a useful network of contacts through volunteer work.

   The collection was acquired at auction after years of saving.

2. 2adjectivenot comparablebiologymedical

   Describes immunity or resistance that develops after infection, vaccination, or exposure, not passed from parent to child.

   Grammar: Almost always before a noun: acquired immunity; do not say more acquired in this biomedical use.

   Patterns

   • acquired immunity/resistance
   • acquired through infection/vaccination
   • acquired response to something

   Vaccination produces acquired immunity without causing the full disease.

   The study compares innate defenses with acquired resistance after exposure.

   Travelers were advised to update acquired protection before the trip.

3. 3adjectivenot comparablebusinessfinance

   Describes a company, asset, or stake bought from outside or taken over, rather than founded or built by the owner.

   Grammar: Commonly before business nouns: an acquired company; contrast with an internally developed product.

   Patterns

   • an acquired company/business/asset
   • acquired in a takeover
   • acquired by a rival/group
   • recently acquired

   The acquired business kept its brand for two years.

   Investors questioned the price paid for the acquired assets.

   Its newest app was acquired, not developed by the in-house team.

4. 4adjectivenot comparablelegal

   Describes a right, title, or interest obtained through a legal act such as purchase, gift, inheritance, or court order.

   Grammar: Formal legal use; usually before rights, title, or interest and followed by by or through.

   Patterns

   • acquired rights/interests
   • acquired by purchase/inheritance
   • acquired through a legal act
   • legally acquired

   The deed records how the land was legally acquired.

   She defended the acquired rights of long-term tenants.

   The claim concerns property acquired through inheritance.

Common combinations

an acquired taste

Dark chocolate was an acquired taste that I learned to enjoy.

an acquired skill

Budgeting is an acquired skill, not a natural talent.

acquired immunity

Acquired immunity can remember a previous infection.

an acquired company

The acquired company kept its office in Leeds.

acquired through experience

Judgment is often acquired through experience rather than reading alone.

Synonyms and how they differ

learned

Best for skills or knowledge gained through study; acquired is broader and includes experience, purchase, infection, and events.

gained

A neutral word for obtaining something; it lacks the clear opposite of innate and may imply no special effort.

developed

Suggests gradual growth over time; acquired can also happen through one purchase, gift, or exposure.

purchased

Fits only buying; acquired covers noncommercial gains such as habits, immunity, and inherited legal interests.

Opposites

Word family

acquire verb

Base verb meaning to gain or come to possess something.

acquisition noun

The act of acquiring, or something acquired; common in business and learning contexts.

acquisitive adjective

Eager to acquire possessions or money; related in form but often disapproving.

reacquire verb

To acquire something again after losing or selling it.

Commonly confused: acquired or acquitted? acquired or inquired?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “acquired”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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