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   A·cute

   /əˈkyo͞ot/

   

   adjective

   • 1. (of a bad, difficult, or unwelcome situation or phenomenon) present or experienced to a severe or intense degree: "an acute housing shortage" Similar severecriticaldrasticdiredreadfulterribleawfulgravebadseriousprofoundurgentpressingdesperateall-importantvitaldangeroushazardousperilousprecariouslife-threateninglife-and-deatharchaic:parlousrare:egregiousOpposite negligible
   • ▪ (of a disease or its symptoms) of short duration but typically severe: "acute appendicitis" Similar stabbingshootingpenetratingpiercingsharpkeenrackingsearingburningconsumingfierceferociousintensesevereextremeexcruciatingagonizinggrievoushellishtorturoustormentingunbearableinsufferableunendurablemore than one can bearmore than flesh and blood can standliterary:exquisitesevereintenseshort-lastingperacuteinformal:short and sharpOpposite dullmildchronic
   • ▪ denoting or designed for patients with acute conditions: "acute patients"
   • 2. having or showing a perceptive understanding or insight; shrewd: "an acute awareness of changing fashions" Similar astuteshrewdsharpsharp-wittedrazor-sharprapierlikequickquick-wittedagilenimbleingeniouscleverintelligentbrightbrilliantsmartcannyintuitivediscerningperceptiveperspicaciouspenetratinginsightfulincisivepiercingdiscriminatingsagaciouswisejudiciousinformal:on the ballquick off the markquick on the uptakebrainystreetwisesavvysusspawkyheads-upwhip-smartdated, informal:long-headedrare:argutesapientOpposite slow-witted
   • ▪ (of a physical sense or faculty) highly developed; keen: "an acute sense of smell" Similar keensharpgoodpenetratingdiscerningperceptivesensitivesubtleOpposite poor
   • 3. (of an angle) less than 90°.
   • ▪ having a sharp end; pointed.
   • 4. (of a sound) high; shrill.

   noun

   • 1. short for acute accent

   Word Origin late Middle English (describing a disease or its symptoms): from Latin acutus, past participle of acuere ‘sharpen’, from acus ‘needle’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. acuteness noun

   Scrabble Points: 7

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › acuteAcute Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › acute

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   a (1) : characterized by sharpness or severity of sudden onset. acute pain. (2) : of rapid onset and relatively short duration. acute illness. see also acute disease. (3) : being, providing, or requiring short-term medical care (as for acute disease or traumatic injury)

3. www.dictionary.com › browse › acuteACUTE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › acute

   • Cached

   sharp or penetrating in intellect, insight, or perception: an acute observer. Synonyms: sage, wise, knowing, brilliant, bright, smart, clever, sharp-witted, perspicacious, intelligent, perceptive, discerning, astute, keen, sapient, sagacious, ingenious. Antonyms: dull.

4. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › acuteAcute - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › acute

   Use the adjective acute for when you want to describe something as sharp or extremely serious. The word acute is one word; it's not two words, nor does it have anything to do with something small, cuddly, and pretty!

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryACUTE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   ACUTE meaning: 1. If a bad situation is acute, it causes severe problems or damage: 2. An acute pain or illness…. Learn more.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishACUTE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   ACUTE definition: 1. If a bad situation is acute, it causes severe problems or damage: 2. An acute pain or illness…. Learn more.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › acuteAcute - definition of acute by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › acute

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   adj. 1. a. Reacting readily to stimuli or impressions; sensitive: His hearing was unusually acute. b. Keenly perceptive or discerning: an acute critic of music; a critic with acute judgment. See Synonyms at sharp. 2. Extremely sharp or severe; intense: acute pain; acute pleasure. 3.

8. www.yourdictionary.com › acuteAcute Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

   www.yourdictionary.com › acute

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   Reacting readily to stimuli or impressions; sensitive. His hearing was unusually acute. American Heritage. Having a sharp point. Webster's New World. Keenly perceptive or discerning. An acute critic of music; a critic with acute judgment. American Heritage. Keen or quick of mind; shrewd.

9. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishacute adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   acute. adjective. /əˈkjuːt/. /əˈkjuːt/. very serious or severe. There is an acute shortage of water. acute pain. the world’s acute environmental problems. Competition for jobs is acute.

10. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishACUTE | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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    ACUTE definition: 1. An acute problem or negative feeling is extreme: 2. An acute angle is less than 90 degrees. 3…. Learn more.

11. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishACUTE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

    www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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    If you say that someone is acute or has an acute mind, you mean that they are quick to notice things and are able to understand them clearly.