French word

acquitter

Pronunciation

IPA/akite/

Meaning

  • verbpay

Example

Je dois acquitter la facture ce soir.

I have to pay the bill tonight.

Illustration for acquitter (pay)

More examples

Pour finaliser la réservation, vous devez acquitter un acompte.

To finalize your reservation, you must pay a deposit.

Core concept

A settled account or duty leaves nothing outstanding, while a legal acquittal leaves no guilt to punish.

Common phrases

  • s'acquitter de ses obligations

    fulfill one's obligations

  • acquitter un acompte

    make a deposit payment

  • acquitter le montant dû

    pay the amount owed

Similar words

payer: Paying money charged for goods, services, or use.
régler: Clearing a bill or charge through payment.
verser: Sending money to a person or bank account.
solder: Clearing a debt or bill by paying the entire remaining balance.

Definition in French

Acquitter s'emploie pour régler une facture ou remplir une obligation; en emploi pronominal, s'acquitter de marque l'exécution d'un devoir; en droit, acquitter sert à déclarer une personne non coupable.

Word origin

French acquitter comes from Old French aquiter, linked to Latin quietare, from quietus, meaning 'at rest', with the sense of bringing matters to rest.

Usage tips

  • The pronominal form s'acquitter de requires de and covers duties or promises as well as payments.

Other meanings

  • fulfillverb
  • acquitverb

Related words

  • acquittementpayment madenoun
  • acquittésettledadjective

Word lists with this word