# acutely

/əkˈjutɫi/ (US) · /ɐkjˈuːtli/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/acutely
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

to a very high degree or in a way that is very strong. You use this to describe feeling something deeply or being very aware of a situation.

For teachers: to a severe or intense degree; in a manner that is sharp or highly perceptive. Often modifies adjectives related to awareness, sensitivity, or negative physical states.

## Examples

- She is acutely aware of the problem.
- The hospital staff was acutely aware that they were running low on critical supplies during the storm.
- The protagonist becomes acutely sensitive to the subtle shifts in her environment, noticing even the slightest change in the wind or the distant sound of footsteps.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He felt acute the pain" but "He felt the pain acutely" — Learners often use the adjective 'acute' where the adverb 'acutely' is required to modify the verb or the entire experience.

## Usage notes

- Typically precedes the adjective it modifies; frequently collocates with 'aware', 'conscious', 'sensitive', or 'painful'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.