acute
word
/əkˈjut/
uh-KYOOT
/ɐkjˈuːt/
uh-KYOOT
Definition
Describes something sharp, intense, or severe. It is often used for pain, illnesses (sudden and severe), or senses (like hearing).
Usage & Nuances
'Acute' is formal or medical when describing illnesses ('acute pain', 'acute illness'). It can also mean 'sharp' (sense or angle: 'acute hearing', 'acute angle'). Do not confuse with 'chronic' (long-term).
Spanish: agudo - grave (enfermedad) - intensoPortuguese (BR): agudo - intenso - grave (doença)Portuguese (PT): agudo - intenso - grave (doença)Chinese (Simplified): 急性 - 严重 - 敏锐Chinese (Traditional): 急性 - 嚴重 - 敏銳Hindi: तीव्र - गंभीर (बीमारी)Arabic: حادّ - شديدBengali: তীব্র - প্রকট (রোগের ক্ষেত্রে) - ধারালো (কোণের ক্ষেত্রে)Russian: острыйJapanese: 鋭い - 急性のVietnamese: cấp tính - sắc bénKorean: 급성의 - 예리한Turkish: akut - keskinUrdu: شدید - تیز (زاویہ یا حِس کے لیے)Indonesian: akut - tajam
Example Sentences
Dogs have acute hearing.
basic
There's an acute shortage of clean water after the storm.
natural
Her acute sense of smell helped her find the hidden food.
natural
In geometry, an acute angle measures less than 90 degrees.
natural
She felt acute pain in her side.
basic
Doctors treated an acute illness quickly.
basic