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

Age was a hot topic in this most recent presidential election, especially after former President Joe Biden, 82, ended his reelection bid due to escalated concerns about his acuity. —Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025

In the months leading up to the showdown, Biden had noticeably pulled back from the media spotlight, a move that only fueled speculation about his mental acuity. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

Jean-Pierre and Doocy shared a number of at times combative exchanges in the White House briefing room on issues ranging from immigration, to President Biden’s son Hunter’s business dealings and Biden’s mental acuity. —Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2025

He will be remembered for misleading the public on his mental acuity, for enabling genocide in Gaza, for a terrible military exit from Afghanistan, and for inflation. —Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Jan. 2025

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