Word
acuity
Phoneticsacu·ity
US/əkˈjuəti/
UK/ɐkjˈuːɪti/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the ability to see, hear, or think very clearly and precisely. It describes how sharp or accurate your senses or mind are.
n. the quality of being sharp or keen, especially in the senses of sight or hearing, or in the ability to think and judge clearly. Often used in medical or psychological contexts to describe sensory or cognitive sharpness.
Examples
“The doctor tested her visual acuity to see if she needed glasses.”
“The detective's sharp mental acuity allowed him to spot the tiny clue that everyone else had missed.”
“While the artist's technical skill was undeniable, it was his emotional acuity that truly brought the portrait to life, capturing the subtle tension in the subject's gaze.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor tested her visual acuity to see if she needed glasses.”
contextual
“The detective's sharp mental acuity allowed him to spot the tiny clue that everyone else had missed.”
complex
“While the artist's technical skill was undeniable, it was his emotional acuity that truly brought the portrait to life, capturing the subtle tension in the subject's gaze.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “acuity” in context.
Adjective
01. visual acuity
“The pilot's visual acuity was tested to ensure he could identify distant objects clearly.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“There is now also a sharper focus on the health and acuity of some of the nation's oldest politicians.” “With digital enhancements enabled by the device, such as zoom and higher contrast, some participants could read with acuity equivalent to 20/42 vision.” “In recent years, researchers have turned their attention to how microgravity can cause astronauts to lose visual acuity .” “These molecules target ON-bipolar neurons and restored saccadic eye movements (optokinetic reflex) in blinded zebrafish larvae, a model commonly used to investigate visual acuity.” Etymology
From Middle English acuite, acuyte, from Middle French acuité, from Medieval Latin acuitas, irreg., from Latin acuō (“sharpen”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/acuity