How to Pronounce “acquaintance”

American (US)

/ʌˈkweɪn.təns/

British (UK)

/əˈkweɪntəns/

noun — A state of being acquainted with a person; originally indicating friendship, intimacy, but now suggesting a slight knowledge less deep than that of friendship; acquaintanceship.

Example: I know of the man; but have no acquaintance with him.

The final e is silent. The transcription /ʌˈkweɪn.təns/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “acquaintance” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “acquaintance” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ʌˈkweɪn.təns/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ʌˈkweɪn.təns/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "acquaintance" mean?

acquaintance (noun): A state of being acquainted with a person; originally indicating friendship, intimacy, but now suggesting a slight knowledge less deep than that of friendship; acquaintanceship. For example — I know of the man; but have no acquaintance with him.

How do you pronounce "acquaintance" in American vs British English?

American English: /ʌˈkweɪn.təns/. British English: /əˈkweɪntəns/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "acquaintance"?

/ʌˈkweɪn.təns/ in American English, /əˈkweɪntəns/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "acquaintance"?

“acquaintance” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ʌˈkweɪn.təns/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.