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

• sensitivity
• sensitiveness

Examples of acuity in a Sentence

a worrisome deterioration in the acuity of his hearing over the years

Recent Examples on the Web

The new analysis builds on findings from last fall that hospitalized patients were nearly 20 percent more likely to survive than expected in the first quarter of 2024 than in the fourth quarter of 2019, based on their acuity. —Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025

From chairing hearings on former President Joe Biden’s mental acuity and clawing back border security money to supporting Trump nominees and writing bills, Cornyn says his agreement with Trump isn’t just anecdotal. —Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 2 Aug. 2025

These inpatient services at UAMS are for higher acuity patients and are often the only ones available in the state for patients needing mental health care who are also pregnant or medically frail. —Arkansas Online, 25 July 2025

They are made for dogs of all ages, interests and mental acuity. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 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

Rhymes for acuity

• annuity
• circuity
• congruity
• fatuity
• gratuity
• tenuity
• vacuity
• ambiguity
• contiguity
• continuity
• incongruity
• ingenuity

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