Definition of ACUTE (original) (raw)
1
a(1)
: characterized by sharpness or severity of sudden onset
(2)
: of rapid onset and relatively short duration see also [acute disease](/dictionary/acute disease)
(3)
: being, providing, or requiring short-term medical care (as for [acute disease](/dictionary/acute disease) or traumatic injury)
2
: ending in a sharp point: such as
a
: being or forming an angle measuring less than 90 degrees
b
: composed of acute angles
3
a
of an accent mark : having the form ´
b
: marked with an acute accent
c
: of the variety indicated by an acute accent
4
a
: marked by keen discernment or intellectual perception especially of subtle distinctions
b
: responsive to slight impressions or stimuli
5
: felt, perceived, or experienced intensely
6
: demanding urgent attention
Did you know?
For such a short and simple-looking word, acute has a rather bewildering range of meanings. It first entered the English language with a medical sense, referring to the sharpness or severity of a symptom. It retains this meaning today, but can also refer to the severity of more general matters, such as "acute embarrassment" or "an acute shortage."
Acute is also frequently used to describe less troublesome matters, such as keenness of perception ("an acute observer" or "an acute sense of smell"), a type of angle (one measuring less than 90 degrees), or the demand for urgent attention ("acute danger").
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for acute
acute, critical, crucial mean of uncertain outcome.
acute stresses intensification of conditions leading to a culmination or breaking point.
an acute housing shortage
critical adds to acute implications of imminent change, of attendant suspense, and of decisiveness in the outcome.
the war has entered a critical phase
crucial suggests a dividing of the ways and often a test or trial involving the determination of a future course or direction.
synonyms see in addition
Examples of acute in a Sentence
an acute sense of humor It's a politically acute film that does not oversimplify the issues.
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.
Beyond the enormous needs of the skyrocketing number of war wounded, hundreds of thousands of people with acute and chronic illnesses were left with limited or no access to medicine and treatment. —
Freddie Clayton, NBC News, 2 Feb. 2025 The threat of Russian drones is so acute, artillery units can be reached when the sun tips into the horizon, and the light is vanishing. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025 As a Black executive in a position of significant influence, Dawkins carries an acute awareness of his platform’s importance. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 1 Feb. 2025 The Rochester teenager battled acute lymphocytic leukemia — a blood and bone marrow cancer. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for acute 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, borrowed from Latin acūtus "sharpened, pointed, having a violent onset, discerning, less than 90 degrees (of an angle)," from past participle of acuere "to sharpen, rouse, stimulate," probably derived from an otherwise unattested adjective stem acū- "sharp"; akin to acū-, acus "needle," a perhaps independently derived noun; further akin to Old Church Slavic osŭtŭ "thistle," Lithuanian ãšutas "hair of a horse's tail or mane"; all going back to the Indo-European base *h2eḱ- "sharp" — more at edge entry 1
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Time Traveler
The first known use of acute was in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near acute
Cite this Entry
“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acute. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 10 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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