Acquire vs. Learn — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 31, 2024
Acquire refers to obtaining skills or knowledge often through direct experience or practice, while learn emphasizes the process of gaining understanding or knowledge through study or instruction.
Difference Between Acquire and Learn
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Acquiring a skill or knowledge often involves a hands-on or experiential approach, where the individual gains proficiency through practical application, observation, or being in a particular environment. This method is less formal and can happen incidentally or unconsciously, such as acquiring a language by living in a country where that language is spoken. On the other hand, learning is more structured and involves actively seeking out information, understanding theories, and applying logic or reasoning. Learning is often associated with formal education but also includes self-directed study.
While acquiring skills can be seen as a subset of learning, it specifically highlights the informal or experiential aspect of gaining knowledge or abilities. For example, one might acquire a native accent naturally over time, whereas learning a language would typically involve studying grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation in a more systematic way. Learning, however, demands active engagement and conscious effort to understand or master new information or skills. It is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of methods, including reading, studying, practicing, and more structured forms of education.
Acquisition is often subconscious and does not require the learner to be actively engaged in a learning process, making it a passive form of learning. Learning can be theoretical, requiring understanding and interpretation, or practical, where hands-on skills are developed through deliberate practice.
The outcomes of acquiring vs. learning can also differ; acquired skills or knowledge often feel more intuitive and can be applied seamlessly in appropriate contexts. In contrast, learned skills or knowledge might require conscious thought to apply, especially in the early stages of learning. Over time, with practice, what is learned can become second nature, blurring the lines between learned and acquired knowledge.
Both acquisition and learning are crucial for personal development and can complement each other. For instance, in language acquisition, immersive experiences complement formal learning, leading to greater fluency and understanding. Similarly, in professional skills development, what begins as learned knowledge through formal education can be deepened through practical, on-the-job experiences.
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Comparison Chart
Method
Informal, through experience.
Formal or informal, through study or instruction.
Engagement
Often passive or incidental.
Active, requires conscious effort.
Environment
Natural, immersive.
Structured, educational settings or self-directed study.
Focus
Practical application, intuition.
Theoretical understanding, systematic practice.
Outcome
Intuitive knowledge/skills.
Knowledge/skills requiring conscious application.
Compare with Definitions
Acquire
Obtaining abilities or understanding indirectly or without a structured learning process.
He acquired his cooking skills by watching and helping his grandmother in the kitchen.
Learn
Actively seeking and absorbing information through reading, instruction, or experimentation.
He learned about medieval history through extensive research and reading.
Acquire
The process of gaining proficiency in a skill through practical application rather than formal study.
Through years of practice, she acquired an expert level of skill in pottery.
Learn
Involves both theoretical understanding and the application of concepts in practice.
Students learn mathematics through problem-solving and application of theories.
Acquire
A method of learning that is often subconscious and seamless.
By immersing himself in the music scene, he acquired a deep understanding of jazz.
Learn
The process of acquiring skills or knowledge through deliberate practice and study.
To learn piano, she took lessons and practiced for hours every day.
Acquire
To gain a skill or knowledge through experience, observation, or being in a certain environment.
She acquired fluency in Spanish by living in Spain for a year.
Learn
Requires conscious effort and engagement to understand and master new information.
Learning a new language as an adult requires dedication and active study.
Acquire
Incidental learning that occurs through exposure and participation.
Children often acquire language skills through play and interaction with peers.
Learn
The act of gaining knowledge or understanding through study, education, or experience.
She learned to code by taking online courses and practicing daily.
Acquire
Acquire is a multi-player mergers and acquisitions themed board game. It is played with tiles representing hotels that are arranged on the board, play money and stock certificates.
Learn
To gain knowledge of or skill in through study, instruction, or experience
Learned how to sail.
Learned the new computer program.
Learn to speak Hindi.
Acquire
To gain possession of
Acquire 100 shares of stock.
Learn
To become aware or informed of; find out
Learned the truth about him.
Learned that it was best not to argue.
Acquire
To get by one's own efforts
Acquire proficiency in math.
Learn
To fix in the mind or memory; memorize
Learned the speech in a few hours.
Acquire
To gain through experience; come by
Acquired a growing dislike of television sitcoms.
Learn
(Nonstandard) To cause to acquire knowledge; teach.
Acquire
To locate (a target) with an aiming device or a tracking system, such as radar.
Learn
(Obsolete) To give information to.
Acquire
(transitive) To get.
Learn
To gain knowledge, information, comprehension, or skill
Learns quickly.
Learned about computers.
Learned of the job through friends.
Acquire
(transitive) To gain, usually by one's own exertions; to get as one's own
He acquired a title.
All the riches he acquired were from hard work.
One should acquire as much knowledge as possible from reading.
To acquire a skill
To acquire decent habits and manners
Learn
To acquire, or attempt to acquire knowledge or an ability to do something.
Acquire
(medicine) To contract.
Learn
To attend a course or other educational activity.
Acquire
(computing) To sample signals and convert them into digital values.
Learn
To gain knowledge from a bad experience so as to improve.
Learn from one's mistakes
Acquire
Come into the possession of something concrete or abstract;
She got a lot of paintings from her uncle
They acquired a new pet
Get your results the next day
Get permission to take a few days off from work
Learn
To study.
I learn medicine.
They learn psychology.
Acquire
Take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect;
His voice took on a sad tone
The story took a new turn
He adopted an air of superiority
She assumed strange manners
The gods assume human or animal form in these fables
Learn
To come to know; to become informed of; to find out.
He just learned that he will be sacked.
Acquire
Come to have or undergo a change of (physical features and attributes);
He grew a beard
The patient developed abdominal pains
I got funny spots all over my body
Well-developed breasts
Learn
To teach.
Give him a clip round the ear. That'll learn him!
Acquire
Locate (a moving entity) by means of a tracking system such as radar
Learn
The act of learning something
Acquire
Win something through one's efforts;
I acquired a passing knowledge of Chinese
Gain an understanding of international finance
Learn
To gain knowledge or information of; to ascertain by inquiry, study, or investigation; to receive instruction concerning; to fix in the mind; to acquire understanding of, or skill; as, to learn the way; to learn a lesson; to learn dancing; to learn to skate; to learn the violin; to learn the truth about something.
Now learn a parable of the fig tree.
Acquire
Acquire or gain knowledge or skills;
She learned dancing from her sister
I learned Sanskrit
Children acquire language at an amazing rate
Learn
To communicate knowledge to; to teach.
Hast thou not learned me howTo make perfumes ?
Acquire
Gain through experience;
I acquired a strong aversion to television
Children must develop a sense of right and wrong
Dave developed leadership qualities in his new position
Develop a passion for painting
Learn
To acquire knowledge or skill; to make progress in acquiring knowledge or skill; to receive information or instruction; as, this child learns quickly.
Take my yoke upon you and learn of me.
Learn
Acquire or gain knowledge or skills;
She learned dancing from her sister
I learned Sanskrit
Children acquire language at an amazing rate
Learn
Get to know or become aware of, usually accidentally;
I learned that she has two grown-up children
I see that you have been promoted
Learn
Commit to memory; learn by heart;
Have you memorized your lines for the play yet?
Learn
Be a student of a certain subject;
She is reading for the bar exam
Learn
Impart skills or knowledge to;
I taught them French
He instructed me in building a boat
Learn
Find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort;
I want to see whether she speaks French
See whether it works
Find out if he speaks Russian
Check whether the train leaves on time
Common Curiosities
Can you learn without acquiring?
Yes, it's possible to learn information theoretically without acquiring the practical skills or intuitive understanding that comes with application or immersion.
Is acquiring always easier than learning?
Not necessarily; acquiring can be effortless in some contexts, like language immersion, but challenging in others. Learning's difficulty depends on the subject matter, the learner's dedication, and the teaching method.
How do children typically acquire skills?
Children often acquire skills through play, observation, and imitation, absorbing information from their environment naturally and effortlessly.
Is formal education necessary for learning?
While formal education can facilitate learning, it's not strictly necessary. Learning can occur through self-study, online resources, mentorship, and life experiences.
How important is repetition in both processes?
Repetition is crucial in both processes for reinforcing knowledge and skills, though it may be more structured in learning and more incidental in acquisition.
Is feedback important in acquisition?
While acquisition can be more passive, feedback is important, especially when it leads to adjustments in understanding or performance, refining skills over time.
Is one method more effective than the other?
Effectiveness depends on the goal. For intuitive, natural proficiency, acquisition may be more effective. For theoretical understanding or when specific knowledge is required, learning is necessary.
Can acquired skills become as refined as learned skills?
Yes, acquired skills can become highly refined, especially with focused practice and exposure. In many cases, the distinction between acquired and learned skills diminishes over time.
How does one transition from learning to acquiring?
Transition often happens through practice and immersion. For example, using a language in real-life situations can turn learned vocabulary and grammar into acquired communication skills.
Can technology aid in acquisition?
Yes, technology can simulate immersive environments for acquisition, such as language apps that use gamification or virtual reality to mimic real-world scenarios.
How do personal interests affect the ability to learn or acquire?
Personal interests can greatly enhance both learning and acquisition by increasing motivation, engagement, and the time one is willing to dedicate to the process.
Does acquisition only apply to language learning?
No, acquisition applies to a variety of skills and knowledge areas, including cultural norms, technical abilities, and even social skills, often through indirect exposure or experience.
What role does motivation play in learning and acquisition?
Motivation significantly impacts both, driving the effort in learning and the engagement in environments conducive to acquisition.
Can learning and acquisition occur simultaneously?
Yes, they often occur simultaneously, especially in immersive learning environments where formal instruction is complemented by practical application.
How do age and cognitive development affect learning and acquisition?
Age and cognitive development impact the efficiency of both processes, with younger learners often finding it easier to acquire languages and other skills due to greater neural plasticity, while adults may benefit from developed study techniques and focused learning strategies.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
