Acute Meaning and Definition
Acute
Pronunciation
/ˈækjuːt/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Sharp or intense; quick to occur or give a severe pain; keenly felt or perceived.
Examples
- The pain was sudden and acute.
- She felt an acute sense of loss after losing her job.
Synonyms
- Sharp
- Severe
- Painful
Antonyms
- Mild
- Agreeable
- Dull
Etymology
The word ‘acute’ comes from the Latin word ‘acūtus,’ which means ‘sharp’ or ‘piercing.’ This Latin word is derived from the verb ‘acuere,’ which means ‘to sharpen’ or ‘to make sharp.’
Usage Notes
The word ‘acute’ can be used to describe both physical and emotional sensations. For example, “the pain is acute” or “she felt an acute sense of sadness.” It can also be used to describe something that is sharp or intense, such as “the sound was acute and piercing.”
Cultural References
The word ‘acute’ has been used in various contexts in popular culture. For example, in the medical field, ‘acute’ is often used to describe a sudden and severe illness or injury. In literature, ‘acute’ is often used to describe a character’s sharp intuition or insight.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- “acute anxiety” – feeling anxious or worried about an issue
- “acute illness” – a sudden and severe illness
- “acute stress” – feeling stressed or overwhelmed
Related Words or Phrases
- Precise
- Accurate
- Sharp
- Piercing
Collocations
- Acute pain
- Acute angle
- Acute observation
- Acute insight
Frequency of Use
The word ‘acute’ is commonly used in both everyday conversation and professional contexts, such as medicine, psychology, and literature.
Common Misspellings
- a-cute
- accent
- aquiet