A new fluorescent chemosensor comprised of cucurbit8uril (Q8) and acridine hydrochloride (AC) has been designed and utilized for the recognition of amino acids. The AC was encapsulated by the Q8 cavity and formed a 1:2 host-guest inclusion complex both in solution (aqueous) and in the solid-state. Whilst free AC is known to be strongly fluorescent, this strong fluorescence was quenched in the inclusion complex Q 8-AC. This non-fluorescent complex Q8-AC was capable of serving as a fluorescence “off-on” probe, and was able to recognize either L-Phe or L-Trp via the competitive interaction between L-Phe or L-Trp. Moreover, the pH responsive nature of the probe allowed for the detection of basic amino acids, namely L-Arg, L-His, or L-Lys). As a result, a fluorescence method for the detection of five amino acids using a single system has been developed. A new fluorescent chemosensor comprised of cucurbit 8uril (Q 8) and acridine hydrochloride (AC) has been designed for the recognition of amino acids. As a result of this study, the fluorescence detection of five amino acids in a single system has been accomplished. Display omitted •A new fluorescent chemosensor comprised of Q8 and acridine has been designed for the recognition of amino acids.•The binding properties of Q8 to acridine was investigated both in solid state and aqueous solution.•A fluorescence method for the detection of five amino acids using a single system has been developed.