The main difference between associate and acquaintance is that an associate is a companion or partner in a professional environment whereas an acquaintance is a person that you have met but do not know well.
Associate and acquaintance are two words we usually use to refer to people we have met but are not as close as friends. In general, the noun associate refers to colleagues or people we work with; in other words, those we know in a professional context. Acquaintance, on the other hand, refer to those we have met but do not know well.
Key Areas Covered
1. Who is an Associate
– Definition, Behaviour, Examples
2. Who is an Acquaintance
– Definition, Behaviour, Examples
3. What is the Difference Between Associate and Acquaintance
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Acquaintance, Associate, Friend
Who is an Associate
An associate is a partner or companion in a business or at work. We usually use this word to refer to a person who shares actively in anything as a business, enterprise, or undertaking. In other words, an associate can be a colleague or a fellow worker.
However, we sometimes also use the word associate to refer to a companion or comrade. The following example sentences will help you to understand the meaning and usage of this noun more clearly.
He got the lawyer’s contact details through one of his business associates.
They invited family, friends and business associates to the party.
I have to consult my associates before proceeding further.
He treats people he works with like family, not like business associates.
A close associate of the actress has confirmed this rumour.
Who is an Acquaintance
An acquaintance is a person you know slightly, but who is not a close friend. For example, classmates you see at school, but never bother to see outside of those circumstances or friends of your friends, or people you see daily on the lift or on the train, etc. are some examples of acquaintances. Most of your ‘friends’ on social media sites such as Facebook and MySpace actually belong to this category.
Acquaintances may know some information about each other, and they may even have long conversations with each other, but they may not be as close as friends. However, an acquaintance can become a friend after some time since the development of friendship takes time. The term acquaintance can also be used to friends you don’t feel close to or those you don’t see much.
You don’t usually ask help from acquaintances whenever you are in trouble; it’s your friends that you call first. You will seek help from acquaintances only if your friends are unable to help.
Example Sentences
She contacted all his friends and acquaintances.
The man who got arrested yesterday was an acquaintance of mine.
He had few friends and many acquaintances.
It was at the last year’s new year’s party that I first made her acquaintance.
Difference Between Associate and Acquaintance
Definition
An associate is a companion or partner in a professional environment, but an acquaintance is a person that you have met but do not know well.
Usage
We usually use the noun associate to refer to people we know in a professional context, but we use the noun acquaintance to refer to people we know in different contexts. For example, acquaintances can be friends of friends, people you meet daily on the road, people in your office, etc.
Conclusion
Associate and acquaintance are two words we usually use to refer to people we have met but are not as close as friends. In general, the noun associate refers to colleagues or people we work with; in other words, those we know in a professional context. Acquaintance, on the other hand, refer to those we have met but do not know well. Thus, this is the difference between associate and acquaintance.
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