Another Word For Acquaintance

Meaning

The word "acquaintance" refers to a person one knows slightly but who is not a close friend. It signifies a level of familiarity or recognition, where you may have been introduced or interacted with someone but do not share a deep or intimate relationship.

Synonyms

• Colleague
• Associate
• Contact
• Familiar
• Friend (in a loose context)
• Companion (in a casual sense)

Antonyms

• Stranger
• Enemy
• Unknown
• Adversary

Etymology

The word "acquaintance" originates from the Middle English term "acqueyntaunce," which comes from the Old French "acointance," derived from the verb "acointer," meaning "to make known." The root of this word traces back to the Latin verb "cognoscere," which means "to know."

Examples

1. "I have a casual acquaintance from college, but we don't keep in touch often."
2. "As an acquaintance of hers, I was invited to the event but didn't know many other guests."
3. "He had many acquaintances in the business world, which helped him expand his network."
4. "While she is just an acquaintance, I enjoy our brief chats at the coffee shop."
5. "The meeting was filled with many acquaintances, making it a friendly atmosphere."