acumen
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.acu·men
noun \ə-ˈkyü-mən, ˈa-kyə-mən\Definition of ACUMEN
: keenness and depth of perception, discernment, or discrimination especially in practical matters
See Examples of ACUMEN
- Her political acumen won her the election.
- a lack of business acumen
- And perhaps this is just part of Washington's transition into the new economy: the triumph of national brands over local loyalty, of business acumen over upper Northwest idealism. —Franklin Foer, New Republic, 7 Feb. 2000
- … the historical acumen, the steady shrewdness, and the uncommon common sense with which the old maestro watches the American procession of similar problems faced by dissimilar egos. —Alistair Cooke, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 1987
- Here was a man of extraordinary sensitivity, political acumen, spiritual power, and sexual wildness; a free spirit if ever there was one. —Alice Walker, Living by the Word, 1986
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Origin of ACUMEN
Latin acumin-, acumen, literally, point, from acuere
First Known Use: circa 1579
Related to ACUMEN
- Synonyms
- astuteness, caginess (also cageyness), canniness, clear-sightedness, foxiness, hardheadedness, intelligence, keenness, knowingness, sharpness, shrewdness, wit
See Synonym Discussion at discernment
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