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

Harris, meanwhile, has doubled down on attacking Trump's fitness for office, mental acuity, and his pledges to retaliate against his political opponents if he's elected again. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

For the last time in their lives, the about-to-be Fabs had everything to prove and nothing to hide, and Braun reveals them with acuity and breathtaking honesty. —The Week Us, theweek, 29 Oct. 2024

To measure improvement in vision acuity—the clarity or sharpness of vision—researchers used a classic eye chart. —Emily Mullin, WIRED, 25 Oct. 2024

The former president’s mental acuity has been closely watched in the leadup to the election. —Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 19 Oct. 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