Vocabulary Spotlight

Acute

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition: Sharp or intense; referring to an angle less than 90 degrees, a severe situation, or high sensitivity.

“The patient was suffering from acute pain following the surgery.”

Pronunciation

[uh-KYOOT]

Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words

Synonyms

Sharp
Intense
Severe
Critical
Keen

Antonyms

Dull
Mild
Chronic
Gentle
Moderate

Related Words

Sensitivity
Acuity
Urgency

Word Origin

“Acute” comes from the Latin word “acutus,” meaning “sharp or pointed.”

Word Family

Adjective: Acute – Sharp, intense, or severe in effect.

Noun: Acuteness – The quality of being sharp or highly sensitive.

Noun: Acuity – Sharpness, particularly of the senses or intellect.

Mnemonics

Think “A Cute Sharpness” – Acute refers to something that is intense, pointed, or very sensitive.

Industry-specific Usage

Healthcare

In medicine, acute refers to conditions with sudden and severe symptoms, often requiring urgent care.

Geometry

In geometry, an acute angle measures less than 90 degrees.

Business

In business, acute issues are pressing matters that need immediate attention.

In Context

Acute describes conditions or qualities that are intense, sharp, or highly sensitive, commonly used in medical, mathematical, and descriptive contexts to signify urgency or precision.

Vocabulary Challenges

1. Which is an antonym of “Acute”?

Dull
Sharp
Intense
Critical

‘Dull’ is correct as it is the opposite of the sharpness that acute implies.

2. Fill in the blank: She had an _______ sense of smell that could detect even faint odors.

chronic
mild
dull
acute

‘Acute’ is appropriate as it describes heightened sensitivity.

3. In which context would “acute” be MOST appropriate?

A slow, ongoing process
A gradual change
A sudden, severe pain
A mild reaction

‘A sudden, severe pain’ is correct as acute describes intense and immediate experiences.