acumen

noun

acu·men ˈa-kyü-mən How to pronounce acumen (audio)

ə-ˈkyü-mən How to pronounce acumen (audio)

: keenness and depth of perception, discernment, or discrimination especially in practical matters

Did you know?

How did acumen evolve?

A keen mind and a sharp wit can pierce the soul as easily as a needle passes through cloth. Remember the analogy between a jabbing needle and piercing perception, and you will readily recall the history of acumen. Our English word retains the spelling and figurative meaning of its direct Latin ancestor, a term that literally means "sharp point." Latin acūmen traces to the verb acuere, which means "to sharpen" and is related to acus, the Latin word for "needle." In its earliest English uses, acumen referred specifically to a sharpness of wit. In modern English, it conveys the sense that someone is perceptive enough to grasp a situation quickly and clever enough to apply that ability.

Example Sentences

And perhaps this is just part of Washington's transition into the new economy: the triumph of national brands over local loyalty, of business acumen over upper Northwest idealism.

Franklin Foer, New Republic, 7 Feb. 2000 … the historical acumen, the steady shrewdness, and the uncommon common sense with which the old maestro watches the American procession of similar problems faced by dissimilar egos.

Alistair Cooke, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 1987 Here was a man of extraordinary sensitivity, political acumen, spiritual power, and sexual wildness; a free spirit if ever there was one.

Alice Walker, Living by the Word, 1986 Her political acumen won her the election. a lack of business acumen

Recent Examples on the Web Many will remember her selflessness and acumen for helping others.

Jaylon Thompson, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 And after combining that creepiness with Carpenter's directorial acumen and the atmospheric soundtrack by Ennio Morricone, viewers may rightfully argue that this is the most effective film in Carpenter's catalog.

Will Harris, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2022 These are proven leaders with both incredible creative sensibilities and strong business acumen.

Joe Otterson, Variety, 1 Sep. 2022 The only shift will be leveraging the strengths of the new offensive standouts, such as Cooper’s comfort lining up in the slot or Scott’s acumen as a runner.

Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Sep. 2022 In return, those same partners can feed business acumen back into cloud management.

Joe Atkinson, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2022 Such a low completion percentage isn’t ideal, which made people question Finley’s acumen.

al, 30 Aug. 2022 If Perelman’s acumen and bravado defined an earlier era, the ongoing liquidation of his holdings and personal treasures appears to be flagging a new moment, one in which great fortunes disappear seemingly into thin air.

William Cohan, Town & Country, 18 Aug. 2022 At best, women who choose to keep their maiden name like Mariah Carey and Diana Ross are lauded for their feminism and business acumen.

Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 21 July 2022 See More

acumen

noun

as in intelligence

exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters had the business acumen to know that the market for sportswear was becoming oversaturated

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

intelligence
wit
astuteness
insight
shrewdness
wisdom
intellect
canniness
keenness
hardheadedness
knowingness
caginess
sagacity
perceptiveness
sharpness
sense
perceptivity
foxiness
cunning
perception
clear-sightedness
discernment
artfulness
sagaciousness
cageyness
percipience
subtlety
wiliness
reason
sapience
guile
slyness
deviousness
sneakiness
slickness
craftiness
subtleness
brain(s)
sageness
craft
gray matter
artifice

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

naïveté
naiveté
naivete
unsophistication
ingenuousness
guilelessness
artlessness
simplicity
unworldliness
simplemindedness
naiveness
greenness
obtuseness
innocence
stupidity
simpleness
witlessness
foolishness
density
dumbness
fatuity
oafishness
brainlessness
slowness
vacuity
stupidness
dopiness
mindlessness
doltishness
senselessness
half-wittedness

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of acumen are discernment, discrimination, insight, penetration, and perception. While all these words mean "a power to see what is not evident to the average mind," acumen implies characteristic penetration combined with keen practical judgment.

a director of reliable box-office acumen

The words discernment and acumen are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art).

the discernment to know true friends

While the synonyms discrimination and acumen are close in meaning, discrimination stresses the power to distinguish and select what is true or appropriate or excellent.

the discrimination that develops through listening to a lot of great music

The meanings of insight and acumen largely overlap; however, insight suggests depth of discernment coupled with understanding sympathy.

a documentary providing insight into the plight of the homeless

The words penetration and acumen can be used in similar contexts, but penetration implies a searching mind that goes beyond what is obvious or superficial.

lacks the penetration to see the scorn beneath their friendly smiles

The synonyms perception and acumen are sometimes interchangeable, but perception implies quick and often sympathetic discernment (as of shades of feeling).

a novelist of keen perception into human motives

单词	acumen
释义	acumen noun acu·men ˈa-kyü-mən ə-ˈkyü-mən : keenness and depth of perception, discernment, or discrimination especially in practical matters Did you know? How did acumen evolve? A keen mind and a sharp wit can pierce the soul as easily as a needle passes through cloth. Remember the analogy between a jabbing needle and piercing perception, and you will readily recall the history of acumen. Our English word retains the spelling and figurative meaning of its direct Latin ancestor, a term that literally means "sharp point." Latin acūmen traces to the verb acuere, which means "to sharpen" and is related to acus, the Latin word for "needle." In its earliest English uses, acumen referred specifically to a sharpness of wit. In modern English, it conveys the sense that someone is perceptive enough to grasp a situation quickly and clever enough to apply that ability. Synonyms astuteness caginess cageyness canniness clear-sightedness foxiness hardheadedness intelligence keenness knowingness sharpness shrewdness wit See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences And perhaps this is just part of Washington's transition into the new economy: the triumph of national brands over local loyalty, of business acumen over upper Northwest idealism. Franklin Foer, New Republic, 7 Feb. 2000 … the historical acumen, the steady shrewdness, and the uncommon common sense with which the old maestro watches the American procession of similar problems faced by dissimilar egos. Alistair Cooke, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 1987 Here was a man of extraordinary sensitivity, political acumen, spiritual power, and sexual wildness; a free spirit if ever there was one. Alice Walker, Living by the Word, 1986 Her political acumen won her the election. a lack of business acumen Recent Examples on the Web Many will remember her selflessness and acumen for helping others. Jaylon Thompson, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 And after combining that creepiness with Carpenter's directorial acumen and the atmospheric soundtrack by Ennio Morricone, viewers may rightfully argue that this is the most effective film in Carpenter's catalog. Will Harris, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2022 These are proven leaders with both incredible creative sensibilities and strong business acumen. Joe Otterson, Variety, 1 Sep. 2022 The only shift will be leveraging the strengths of the new offensive standouts, such as Cooper’s comfort lining up in the slot or Scott’s acumen as a runner. Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Sep. 2022 In return, those same partners can feed business acumen back into cloud management. Joe Atkinson, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2022 Such a low completion percentage isn’t ideal, which made people question Finley’s acumen. al, 30 Aug. 2022 If Perelman’s acumen and bravado defined an earlier era, the ongoing liquidation of his holdings and personal treasures appears to be flagging a new moment, one in which great fortunes disappear seemingly into thin air. William Cohan, Town & Country, 18 Aug. 2022 At best, women who choose to keep their maiden name like Mariah Carey and Diana Ross are lauded for their feminism and business acumen. Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 21 July 2022 See More Word History Etymology borrowed from Latin acūmen "sharp point, stinger, acuteness of mind," from acū-, stem of acuere "to sharpen" + -men, resultative noun suffix — more at acute First Known Use circa 1579, in the meaning defined above acumen noun as in intelligence exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters had the business acumen to know that the market for sportswear was becoming oversaturated Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance intelligence wit astuteness insight shrewdness wisdom intellect canniness keenness hardheadedness knowingness caginess sagacity perceptiveness sharpness sense perceptivity foxiness cunning perception clear-sightedness discernment artfulness sagaciousness cageyness percipience subtlety wiliness reason sapience guile slyness deviousness sneakiness slickness craftiness subtleness brain(s) sageness craft gray matter artifice Antonyms & Near Antonyms naïveté naiveté naivete unsophistication ingenuousness guilelessness artlessness simplicity unworldliness simplemindedness naiveness greenness obtuseness innocence stupidity simpleness witlessness foolishness density dumbness fatuity oafishness brainlessness slowness vacuity stupidness dopiness mindlessness doltishness senselessness half-wittedness See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of acumen are discernment, discrimination, insight, penetration, and perception. While all these words mean "a power to see what is not evident to the average mind," acumen implies characteristic penetration combined with keen practical judgment. a director of reliable box-office acumen The words discernment and acumen are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art). the discernment to know true friends While the synonyms discrimination and acumen are close in meaning, discrimination stresses the power to distinguish and select what is true or appropriate or excellent. the discrimination that develops through listening to a lot of great music The meanings of insight and acumen largely overlap; however, insight suggests depth of discernment coupled with understanding sympathy. a documentary providing insight into the plight of the homeless The words penetration and acumen can be used in similar contexts, but penetration implies a searching mind that goes beyond what is obvious or superficial. lacks the penetration to see the scorn beneath their friendly smiles The synonyms perception and acumen are sometimes interchangeable, but perception implies quick and often sympathetic discernment (as of shades of feeling). a novelist of keen perception into human motives
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acumen

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

noun

Synonym Chooser