random acquaintance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "random acquaintance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who you know, but you do not have a close relationship with. For example: "I ran into a random acquaintance from high school the other day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This time, he sings a lot about "you": a lover, a brother, a random acquaintance.

The New York Times - Arts

And while Timehop or others might be able to pull posts from the past, Facebook understands exactly who and what you care about, so it can show an old photo of you and your best friend rather than some random acquaintance.

TechCrunch

We were at the house drinking 40s one night when a random acquaintance named Rav stopped by to burn one.

Vice

"On the 17th of September, a friend told me he'd been sent a WhatsApp video of me doing coke by a random acquaintance – a man from Ecuador who lives in Miami," Ber continued.

Vice

Over the years, Cho has performed dozens of these tattoos on his close friends ("And ONE random acquaintance," he huffs), and he is here, along with 23-year-old makeup artist and willing volunteer Alexis Page, to show us how it's done.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But it was, she will admit, a time of random acquaintances and lost nights.

Independent

People communicate with their friends online, but they may also be communicating with their parents or random acquaintances — people from different age or socioeconomic groups.

The New York Times

The latest looking to 'do a Path' is Everyme, which says it believes "most stories are meant to be shared with your closest friends and family, not with 500 random acquaintances".

The Guardian - Tech

Marty Aranaydo, a member of the Muscogee tribe currently stationed at one of the camps, admitted he was initially confused when he thought random acquaintances from college had shown up in person.

The Guardian

But the game also perfected the "deathmatch," in which two (or three or four) friends or co-workers or random acquaintances who met on a Doom Web site at 3 o'clock in the morning could forget about the mutants entirely and just focus on blasting each other.

The New York Times - Books

Then there are the random acquaintances you've collected over the years -- they're not really friends, even though they send you messages that say, "Hi, we have 10 friends in common so we must be friends!" Still, for me, the Mutual Friends list has become an integral part of my digital life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing interactions with someone you don't know well, use "random acquaintance" to clearly indicate the lack of a strong bond. This helps avoid implying a closer relationship than exists.

Common error

Don't use terms like "friend" or "close associate" if the person is merely a "random acquaintance". Overstating the relationship can mislead your audience about the nature of your connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "random acquaintance" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition to identify a person known casually. As Ludwig AI suggests, it appropriately describes a person you know but do not have a close relationship with.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "random acquaintance" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term to describe someone known casually, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It accurately conveys a lack of close connection. The phrase appears frequently in "News & Media", and "Science" contexts. When using "random acquaintance", be mindful of its neutral register and avoid using it when a stronger term is more appropriate. Alternatives such as "casual acquaintance" or "superficial acquaintance" can be used in more formal settings. Remember to avoid overstating relationships to maintain clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

casual acquaintance

Focuses on the level of familiarity, emphasizing a lack of closeness.

superficial acquaintance

Highlights the lack of deep connection or shared history.

occasional acquaintance

Indicates infrequent interactions with the person.

brief acquaintance

Emphasizes the short duration of the relationship.

passing acquaintance

Similar to 'fleeting acquaintance', but can imply moving on quickly.

fleeting acquaintance

Similar to 'brief acquaintance', but suggests a less impactful meeting.

chance encounter

Highlights the unplanned nature of meeting someone.

incidental acquaintance

Suggests the relationship arose as a side effect of other activities.

tenuous acquaintance

Focuses on the fragility or weakness of the connection.

remote acquaintance

Implies a distant or indirect connection.

FAQs

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

You can use "random acquaintance" to describe someone you know casually. For example: "I bumped into a "random acquaintance" from college at the grocery store."

What's a more formal way to say "random acquaintance"?

In more formal contexts, consider using "casual acquaintance" or "superficial acquaintance". These alternatives also convey the limited nature of the relationship.

Is it appropriate to use "random acquaintance" in professional settings?

Yes, "random acquaintance" is suitable as long as it accurately reflects the relationship. Avoid using it if a stronger term like "colleague" or "associate" is more appropriate.

What's the difference between "random acquaintance" and "friend"?

"Random acquaintance" implies a superficial or infrequent connection, while "friend" suggests a closer, more supportive relationship. Using the correct term ensures clear communication.