What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inquaintance
Example
I met a new inquaintance at the party last night. [inquaintance: noun]
Example
She's still an inquaintance to me, but I hope to get to know her better soon. [inquaintance: adjective]
acquaintance
Example
He's just an acquaintance from work, not a close friend. [acquaintance: noun]
Example
I'm acquainted with her through mutual friends, but we don't hang out often. [acquainted: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Acquaintance is more commonly used than inquaintance in everyday language. Acquaintance is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while inquaintance is less common and may be considered outdated or archaic.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between inquaintance and acquaintance?
Both inquaintance and acquaintance are relatively neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
