Skip to main content

acumenthe ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in business or practical matters

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in business or practical matters

Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈkjuːmən/

Example Sentences

  • The CEO's financial acumen saved the company from bankruptcy during the economic crisis
  • My grandmother's shopping acumen allows her to find designer clothes at thrift store prices
  • His political acumen helped him navigate the complex office dynamics

acumen

NOUN

[/əˈkjuːmən/]

the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in business or practical matters

The young investor’s business acumen allowed her to spot the hidden risk in the contract that everyone else missed.
💡 Concept

The young investor’s business acumen allowed her to spot the hidden risk in the contract that everyone else missed.

ACU(sharp) + MEN(mind) — a consultant's acumen is like a sharp marker that cuts straight through a messy problem.
🧠 Mnemonic

ACU(sharp) + MEN(mind) — a consultant's acumen is like a sharp marker that cuts straight through a messy problem.

The ordinary human showed extraordinary business acumen by inventing a tiny flashlight with a million lumen.
🎵 Rhyme

The ordinary human showed extraordinary business acumen by inventing a tiny flashlight with a million lumen.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/əˈkjuːmən/
🇬🇧 UK/əˈkjuːmən/

🌳Etymology

Rootacu
Suffix--men

Origin

From Latin 'acumen', derived from the verb 'acuere' meaning 'to sharpen'. The word originally referred to sharpness or keenness, and evolved metaphorically to mean mental sharpness or keen judgment.

Breakdown

acu- (sharp, from Latin acuere) + -men (noun suffix indicating result or means) = acumen (sharpness of mind or keen judgment)

🎵Rhyme

umenlumen
umen
lumen

🔗Collocations

business acumen
financial acumen
political acumen
lack acumen
sharp acumen

📝Examples

The CEO's financial acumen saved the company from bankruptcy during the economic crisis

😄 Fun example

My grandmother's shopping acumen allows her to find designer clothes at thrift store prices

His political acumen helped him navigate the complex office dynamics

She showed remarkable acumen in choosing which cryptocurrency to invest in

📚Related Words

Synonyms

insightshrewdnessastutenessperspicacitysagacity

Antonyms

ignorancenaivetyfoolishness

Related

acuteacupuncturewisdomintellectdiscernment

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.