acute

[əˈkjuːt]

acute Definition

• 1. having or showing a perceptive understanding or insight; shrewd
• 2. present or experienced to a severe or intense degree
• 3. having a sharp point; not blunt

Using acute: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "acute" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  She has an acute sense of humor.

• Example

  The pain in my back is becoming acute.

• Example

  The acute angle measures less than 90 degrees.

• Example

  His acute observations helped solve the case.

• Example

  The patient was admitted to the hospital with acute chest pain.

acute Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for acute

• keen
• penetrating
• intense
• severe
• sharp

Antonyms for acute

• dull
• blunt
• obtuse

Phrases with acute

• acute accent

  a diacritical mark (´) placed over a vowel to indicate a higher pitch or stress

  Example

  The word 'café' has an acute accent over the 'e'.

• acute triangle

  a triangle with all three angles acute (less than 90 degrees)

  Example

  In an acute triangle, all angles are less than 90 degrees.

• acute disease

  a disease that has a sudden onset and a short course

  Example

  Influenza is an example of an acute disease.

Origins of acute

from Latin 'acutus', meaning 'sharp, pointed'

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Summary: acute in Brief

The term 'acute' [əˈkjuːt] has multiple meanings. It can describe someone who is perceptive or insightful, as in 'Her acute observations helped solve the case.' It can also describe something present or experienced to a severe or intense degree, such as 'The pain in my back is becoming acute.' Additionally, it can refer to something having a sharp point, like an acute angle. Other phrases include 'acute accent,' 'acute triangle,' and 'acute disease.'