mere acquaintance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mere acquaintance" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is not a close friend or someone who is only known briefly. Here is an example sentence: "I don't know the new intern very well, we're just mere acquaintances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Jim Trusdale was a mere acquaintance.

The New Yorker

But Mimi was willing to risk an encounter with a gun to protect the body of a mere acquaintance.

The New York Times - Magazine

From Mere Acquaintance to Periodic Dinner Companion (In Groups of Four or More People) to Frequent Midweek Business-Lunch Cohort, Tim has consistently shown himself to be just the kind of person we're looking for in a Best Friend.

The New Yorker

"We expect that firing a close family member" amounts to unlawful retaliation, Justice Scalia wrote, while "inflicting a milder reprisal on a mere acquaintance will almost never do so, but beyond that we are reluctant to generalize".

The New York Times

To call everyone you know a "friend" is as odd as calling them all "contacts", but here the emphasis is reversed: rather than clinically treating everyone as a potential business partner, the hegemony of "friends" implies a wheedling sentimentalisation of mere acquaintance.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Haouari's lawyer, Daniel J. Ollen, questioned Mr. Ressam vigorously about friends in Montreal and their roles in the Islamic terrorist movement, asking him why he would turn to a mere acquaintance and a total stranger to help him when he had allies with experience.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Ms. Clements and Mr. Nakayama remained mere acquaintances until 2008.

The New York Times

Mere acquaintances bristle at two minutes of empty airspace.

The New York Times

It turns out he and Hughes remained mere acquaintances.

The New York Times - Books

Old friends may disappear in panic, while others, often mere acquaintances, find enough within themselves to give with unexpected richness.

The New York Times - Books

The front rooms in these photographs are far too ungroomed and unselfconscious to pay host to mere acquaintances.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mere acquaintance" to clearly distinguish between someone you know casually and a close friend or confidant. This helps avoid misinterpretations about the depth of your relationship with the person.

Common error

Avoid referring to someone as a "friend" when they are a "mere acquaintance". This can lead to awkward situations or false assumptions about the level of trust and familiarity between you.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mere acquaintance" functions as a noun phrase, specifically to describe a person known only slightly or casually. It modifies the noun "acquaintance", indicating the degree or extent of the relationship. Ludwig confirms this usage as correct and relatively common.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mere acquaintance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a superficial relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It serves to differentiate casual relationships from deeper connections like friendships. Usage is typically neutral in register, appearing frequently in news, scientific, and general contexts. When using this phrase, consider alternatives such as "casual acquaintance" or "slight acquaintance" to further refine the intended meaning. Avoid overstating the relationship to prevent potential misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

casual acquaintance

Highlights the lack of deep connection or involvement.

slight acquaintance

Emphasizes the limited extent of knowing someone.

passing acquaintance

Implies a brief and not very memorable interaction.

superficial acquaintance

Focuses on the lack of depth in the relationship.

nodding acquaintance

Suggests knowing someone only by sight or a brief greeting.

tenuous connection

Emphasizes the weak or fragile nature of the relationship.

distant contact

Highlights the infrequent or remote nature of the interaction.

formal introduction

Suggests a relationship limited to initial greetings and polite exchanges.

professional contact

Limits the relationship to a work or business setting.

remote associate

Emphasizes the lack of close interaction or personal connection.

FAQs

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

You can use "mere acquaintance" to describe someone you know casually, but not well. For example: "I don't consider him a close friend; he's just a "mere acquaintance" from work.".

What's a good alternative to "mere acquaintance"?

Depending on the context, you could use "casual acquaintance", "slight acquaintance", or "passing acquaintance".

What does it mean to be a "mere acquaintance"?

Being a "mere acquaintance" means you have a superficial or casual relationship with someone. You might know their name or have interacted briefly, but there's no real friendship or close connection.

Is it better to say "mere acquaintance" or "just an acquaintance"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "mere acquaintance" emphasizes the limited nature of the relationship more strongly than "just an acquaintance".