26984 words

acute

11 definitions • 13 examples
1
If a bad situation is acute, it causes severe problems or damage:

Examples:

The problem of poverty is particularly acute in rural areas.
2
An acute pain or illness is one that quickly becomes very severe:

Examples:

an acute attack of appendicitis
3
used to describe intelligence, senses, etc. that are very good, accurate, and able to notice very small differences:

Examples:

an acute sense of smell
a woman of acute intelligence/judgment
4
An acute angle is less than 90 degrees.
5
a sign that is written above a letter in some languages, showing you how to pronounce the letter:

Examples:

There's an acute accent on the e in "café".
6
very serious, extreme, or severe:

Examples:

The area has an acute water shortage.
7

Examples:

Not all hospitals can provide acute care.
8
aware of or able to recognize small differences between things, or being accurate in judging something:

Examples:

He has very acute hearing.
9
(of an angle) less than 90º
10
An acute triangle is a triangle with three angles of less than 90º.
11
if a bad situation is acute, it causes severe problems or damage:

Examples:

The problem is particularly acute for small businesses.
an acute conflict/crisis/need

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