acuity

noun

acu·​i·​ty ə-ˈkyü-ə-tē How to pronounce acuity (audio)
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.

Examples of acuity in a Sentence

a worrisome deterioration in the acuity of his hearing over the years
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This law also requires additional nurses to be assigned based on patient acuity and clinical needs. Tracy Briggs, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2024 The Trump interview noticeably covered more ground, whereas Baier honed in on several specific areas with Harris, like questions about the border and President Joe Biden’s mental acuity. Brian Stelter, CNN, 17 Oct. 2024 This summer, for instance, Trump took to social media to call for Wray to resign after the director appeared to vouch for Biden’s mental acuity. Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024 This past summer, Trump faulted the FBI for not immediately confirming he’d been struck by a bullet during an assassination attempt and even took to social media to call on Wray to resign after the director vouched for President Joe Biden ‘s mental acuity during a congressional hearing. Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for acuity 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of acuity was circa 1549

Dictionary Entries Near acuity

Cite this Entry

“Acuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acuity. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

acuity

noun
acu·​ity ə-ˈkyü-ət-ē How to pronounce acuity (audio)
: sharpness of perception

Medical Definition

acuity

noun
acu·​ity ə-ˈkyü-ət-ē How to pronounce acuity (audio)
plural acuities
: keenness of sense perception
acuity of hearing
see visual acuity

More from Merriam-Webster on acuity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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