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acutevery serious or severe; having a sharp point or edge

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: very serious or severe; having a sharp point or edge

Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈkjuːt/

Example Sentences

  • My mom has an acute ability to detect when I'm lying about homework.
  • The acute shortage of coffee in the office caused widespread panic.
  • She developed an acute understanding of the problem after failing the test twice.

acute

ADJECTIVE

[/əˈkjuːt/]

very serious or severe; having a sharp point or edge

He felt acute pain after twisting his ankle.
💡 Concept

He felt acute pain after twisting his ankle.

The detective's acute observation solved the mystery. (👀 Sharp + 🧠 Awareness → Acute)
🧠 Mnemonic

The detective's acute observation solved the mystery. (👀 Sharp + 🧠 Awareness → Acute)

His acute judgment ended the dispute, earning everyone's salute.
🎵 Rhyme

His acute judgment ended the dispute, earning everyone's salute.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/əˈkjuːt/
🇬🇧 UK/əˈkjuːt/

🌳Etymology

Rootacu
Suffix--te

Origin

From Latin 'acutus', the past participle of 'acuere' meaning 'to sharpen'. The word entered English through Old French and Latin, originally referring to something pointed or sharpened.

Breakdown

acut- (sharp, pointed, from Latin acutus) + -e (adjective suffix) = acute

🎵Rhyme

suitcutefruitbootshoot
suit
cute
fruit
boot
shoot

🔗Collocations

acute pain
acute angle
acute shortage
acute awareness
acute illness
acute observation

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My mom has an acute ability to detect when I'm lying about homework.

😄 Fun example

The acute shortage of coffee in the office caused widespread panic.

She developed an acute understanding of the problem after failing the test twice.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

sharpsevereintensekeenpiercing

Antonyms

dullchronicmild

Related

acuityacutelyacuteness

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