acuity

noun

acu·​i·​ty ə-ˈkyü-ə-tē 

a-

plural acuities

: keenness of perception

hearing acuity

mental acuity

Did you know?

Do you have acuity or sensitivity?

Acuity is nearly synonymous with at least one sense of sensitivity, yet, as is so often the case with closely related words, there are subtle differences worth observing before you substitute one of these words for the other. Acuity does refer to a form of sensitivity, but it is most often applied to the perceptual senses (as in “visual acuity” or “auditory acuity”). It is also frequently used in reference to the intellect (as in “mental acuity”). Sensitivity has a broader range of meanings than acuity does, including “the capacity of being easily hurt.” It may be used of inanimate objects such as radios (“the sensitivity of the instruments was carefully calibrated”), a context in which acuity is unusual.

Synonyms

• acuteness
• delicacy
• keenness
• perceptiveness
• perceptivity
• sensitiveness
• sensitivity
• sharpness

Examples of acuity in a Sentence

a worrisome deterioration in the acuity of his hearing over the years

Recent Examples on the Web

Her acuity gives equal weight and immediacy to both the intangible reality of human relationships (the social hierarchies among children in a cancer ward, say) and the brute force of physical experience. —Molly Fischer, The New Yorker, 4 Dec. 2024

The president's advancing age and mental acuity had been topics of discussion for months before the debate. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024

Biden exited the race in July, though, heeding calls from fellow Democrats concerned about the octogenarian's acuity. —Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 23 Sep. 2024

Not everyone has the visual and fine-motor acuities to negotiate things, but the mainstream tech community doesn’t bother to consider that. —Steven Aquino, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acuite "sharpness, acridity," borrowed from Middle French acuité, borrowed from Medieval Latin acuitāt-, acuitās, from Latin acu-, stem of acuere "to sharpen" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at acute

First Known Use

circa 1549, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing acuity

• hyper-acuity
• visual acuity

Kids Definition

acuity

noun

acu·​ity ə-ˈkyü-ət-ē 

: sharpness of perception

Medical Definition

acuity

noun

acu·​ity ə-ˈkyü-ət-ē 

plural acuities

: keenness of sense perception

acuity of hearing

see visual acuity