Acumen vs. Acuity vs. Acuteness

What are the Differences Between Acumen, Acuity, and Acuteness?

When to Use Acumen

Acumen is a noun meaning “quickness, accuracy, and keenness of judgment or insight.” For example,

His business acumen produced profitable year after profitable year.

It is important to note that acumen is centered on being able to make good judgments and quick decisions, particularly in a given field (business, politics, agriculture, etc.).

When to Use Acuity

Acuity is also a noun and means “sharpness or keenness of thought, vision, or hearing.” For example,

Due to his age, his visual acuity is deteriorating.

Acuity is used primarily to refer to hearing, understanding, vision, wit, and certain diseases.

When to Use Acuteness

Acuteness is the noun derivation of the adjective acute, which is defined as “having or showing perceptive understanding or insight: shrewd” and “a keen, highly developed physical sense.” For example,

His acuteness of engines led him to correctly diagnose the problem.

Save the exceptions above, (hearing, understanding, vision, etc.), acuteness is more broadly used today than acuity when signifying general “sharpness” or “perception.”

Summary

While these words all have similar meanings, it is important to use them precisely in your writing and not to mix them up.

Acumen refers to a keenness and insight in a particular field like business.

Acuity refers to keenness of thought, vision, or hearing. Acuity has an earlier first recorded use than acuteness, but in practice its use has retreated somewhat.

Acuteness refers to keenness of understanding and a highly developed physical sense. Between acuity and acuteness, acuteness is used more frequently.

List of All Current Scholarships for International Students - Updated Daily - Apply Today! Click Here!

Scholarships for Study in Africa

» Scholarships for African Students » Undergraduate Scholarships » African Women Scholarships & Grants » Developing Countries Scholarships » Erasmus Mundus Scholarships for Developing Countries » Fellowship Programs » Funding Grants for NGOs » Government Scholarships » LLM Scholarships » MBA Scholarships » PhD and Masters by Research Scholarships » Public Health Scholarships - MPH Scholarships » Refugees Scholarships » Research Grants » Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships in Australia » Scholarships in Austria » Scholarships in Belgium » Scholarships in Canada » Scholarships in Germany » Scholarships in Ireland » Scholarships in Italy » Scholarships in Japan » Scholarships in Korea » Scholarships in Netherlands » Scholarships in Switzerland » Scholarships in UK » Scholarships in USA

Funding Agencies for Grants - Search Funding Agencies for Grants? - NGO Funding Agencies - Fill Out a Simple Grant Form? - NGO Grant Funding Agencies

List of All Current Scholarships for International Students - Updated Daily - Apply Today! Click Here!
What is an Operating System? » Computer Shortcut Keys and their Functions » Keyboard Function Keys

Short Stories for Kids - Moral Stories – English Short Stories for Children - Moral Stories for Kids - Stories for Kids - Funny Story for Kids - Scary Stories for Kids - Really Funny Short Stories - Bedtime Stories
Proverb Stories
Powerful Motivational Quotes for Students » Success Quotes » English Short Stories for Kids

Cabin Crew Jobs & Career Advice » Secretary Job Description » Receptionist Job Description » Top 100 Interview Questions and Answers » How to Prepare for an Interview » How to Write a CV » How to Choose a Career » Computer Shortcut Keys and their Functions Proverb Stories
Powerful Motivational Quotes for Students » Success Quotes