Definition of acuity
acuities
: keenness of perception hearing acuity mental acuity
From the M-W Editors
Examples of acuity in a Sentence
a worrisome deterioration in the acuity of his hearing over the years
Recent Examples of acuity from the Web
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Leon’s psychological acuity, sly wit, and artistic restraint both deepen and darken a novel that is, like all enduring crime fiction, a study of character as much as crime.
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Brain Age, a hit Nintendo DS game, was developed with the help of Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, a Japanese neuroscientist who believes that brain exercises in the form of puzzle solving every day can be instrumental in maintaining one’s mental acuity.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acuity'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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.
Origin and Etymology of acuity
Middle English acuite acridity, from Middle French acuité, from Medieval Latin acuitat-, acuitas, from Latin acuere —see acute
First Known Use: circa 1549
ACUITY Defined for English Language Learners
acuity
playDefinition of acuity for English Language Learners
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: the ability to see, hear, or understand something easily
Medical Dictionary
acuity
playMedical Definition of acuity
acuities
: keenness of sense perception acuity of hearing—see visual acuity
Learn More about acuity
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See words that rhyme with acuity Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for acuity Nglish: Translation of acuity for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of acuity for Arabic speakers
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