acuteness

[uh-kyoot-nis]

noun

1. sharpness or intensity.

   The incident illustrates with devastating acuteness how important it is to consider the needs of others when choosing our words.

2. the fact, quality, or degree of being serious or critical; severity.

   The acuteness of these social problems varies from country to country, but everywhere they are an offense against human dignity.

3. the quality of being sharp or penetrating in intellect or insight.

   I appreciated the courtesy of the committee's interrogation as well as the acuteness of their questions.

4. sensitivity even to slight details or impressions.

   The acuteness of my hearing while under nervous strain was extraordinary—I could hear a watch ticking three rooms away.

Other Word Forms

• hyperacuteness noun
• nonacuteness noun
• overacuteness noun
• superacuteness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of acuteness¹

acute ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )