|
  • Search Results
  • Advanced Search
  • List Builder
  • Random Word

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! Acute really means "sharp" or "severe" or "intense" and modifies certain kinds of angles in geometry or describes a certain kind of illness of short duration. The English word apparently entered the language during the sixteenth century from the Latin root acutus, which means "sharp" or "pointed."

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: acute

1
 adj
ending in a sharp point
2
 adj
having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course
3
 adj
of an angle; less than 90 degrees
4
 n
a mark (') placed above a vowel to indicate pronunciation
FULL DEFINITIONS OF: acute
1

adj ending in a sharp point

Synonyms:
acuate, needlelike, sharp
pointed
having a point

adj extremely sharp or intense

“acute pain”
“felt acute annoyance”
Synonyms:
intense
sharp
keenly and painfully felt; as if caused by a sharp edge or point

adj having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

“an acute observer of politics and politicians”
Synonyms:
discriminating, incisive, keen, knifelike, penetrating, penetrative, piercing, sharp
perceptive
having the ability to perceive or understand; keen in discernment

adj of critical importance and consequence

“an acute (or critical) lack of research funds”
Synonyms
critical
being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency
2

adj having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course

“acute appendicitis”
“the acute phase of the illness”
“acute patients”
Synonyms
subacute
less than acute; relating to a disease present in a person with no symptoms of it
Antonyms:
chronic
being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering
degenerative
(of illness) marked by gradual deterioration of organs and cells along with loss of function
show more antonyms...
3

adj of an angle; less than 90 degrees

Antonyms:
obtuse
of an angle; between 90 and 180 degrees
4

n a mark (') placed above a vowel to indicate pronunciation

Synonyms:
acute accent, ague
Type of:
accent, accent mark
a diacritical mark used to indicate stress or placed above a vowel to indicate a special pronunciation
Learn Launch
WORD FAMILY
USAGE EXAMPLES