fleeting acquaintance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fleeting acquaintance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a relationship or connection with someone that is temporary or not deeply established. Example: "During my travels, I made a fleeting acquaintance with a fellow traveler who shared fascinating stories about their adventures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Karl Marx depicted in Jonathan Sperber's absorbing, meticulously researched biography will be unnervingly familiar to anyone who has had even the most fleeting acquaintance with radical politics.

The New York Times - Books

Nor, I imagine, will such conditions surprise anyone with even a fleeting acquaintance with the state of housing in the capital.

The Guardian - Opinion

The recipes are a lot better than you probably have any right to expect from a book obviously aimed at the cook who has only a fleeting acquaintance with the kitchen.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Jean, loyal to her man but pining for her twin sister and a beloved nephew back in the States, makes the effort to visit cultural sites and to strike up fleeting acquaintances with other American expatriates, including Bobby, a lonely banker who is soon smitten by her plainspoken charms.

The New York Times

3. Fleeting Glimpse of H.R.H. Prince Begin...$1,000 Acquaintance 1. Le Manage de Brun et de Violet (Peanut Butter and Grape Jelly).

The New Yorker

And as I make fleeting eye contact with new and old acquaintances, and total strangers who look like cousins, aunts and grandfathers I've never met, I know I'm part of something that will never completely disappear.

The New York Times

What was unfortunate, and will be unfortunately abused and distorted by Mr. Trump, whose acquaintance with truth or fairness is at best fleeting, was Mr. Comey's gratuitous commentary about Mrs. Clinton being reckless in her handling of these materials and his suggestion that were she still a member of the Department of State that discipline would be in order.

HuffPost

Age: Fleeting.

The Guardian

Too fleeting!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Successes are often fleeting.

The Economist

Surprise is fleeting.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about initial impressions or chance encounters, consider using "fleeting acquaintance" to accurately portray the transient nature of the relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeting acquaintance" to describe relationships that have developed over time or involve substantial interaction. This phrase implies a lack of depth, which would be inappropriate for describing a close friend or long-term colleague.

Linguistic Context

Fleeting acquaintance functions as a noun phrase, where "fleeting" modifies "acquaintance", specifying the nature of the relationship as brief or temporary. This phrase is used to describe a person one knows only slightly, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fleeting acquaintance" is a noun phrase used to describe a brief and superficial connection with someone. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct and primarily appears in news and media contexts. Alternatives such as "brief encounter" or "casual acquaintance" can be used to convey similar meanings, although each carries slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the limited depth of the relationship. It is important to avoid using "fleeting acquaintance" when describing established or meaningful relationships. Overall, Ludwig's analysis confirms that this phrase is suitable for portraying transient and inconsequential connections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief encounter

Focuses on the brevity and casual nature of the meeting, less emphasis on the level of knowing.

casual acquaintance

Highlights the informality and lack of deep connection.

superficial acquaintance

Emphasizes a lack of depth or meaningful interaction.

passing acquaintance

Indicates a short and not particularly memorable association.

nodding acquaintance

Suggests a minimal level of familiarity, often limited to a simple greeting.

slight acquaintance

Emphasizes the limited extent of knowledge or interaction.

tenuous connection

Highlights the fragility and insubstantial nature of the link.

transient association

Focuses on the temporary nature of the bond.

fleeting interaction

Highlights the short duration and insubstantial impact of the contact.

surface-level familiarity

Emphasizes the lack of deeper understanding or relationship.

FAQs

What does "fleeting acquaintance" mean?

A "fleeting acquaintance" refers to a brief or superficial connection with someone, suggesting a lack of deep knowledge or significant interaction.

How can I use "fleeting acquaintance" in a sentence?

You can use "fleeting acquaintance" to describe a relationship where your interaction with someone is brief and not very meaningful. For instance, "I had a "fleeting acquaintance" with a colleague during a conference."

What are some alternatives to "fleeting acquaintance"?

Alternatives include "brief encounter", "casual acquaintance", or "passing acquaintance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "fleeting acquaintance" to describe a long-term colleague?

No, "fleeting acquaintance" is not appropriate for describing a long-term colleague. It implies a lack of depth in the relationship, which is unsuitable for someone you've known and worked with for an extended period.