acumen
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of acumen
First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin acūmen “sharpness,” from acū-, stem of acuere “to sharpen” ( see acute) + -men, noun suffix
Explanation
If you have acumen, you are very sharp at what you do. You hope your accountant and your surgeon are both known for their acumen. The noun acumen comes from the Latin word acumen, meaning “a point,” or “sting.” If you are able to make pointed decisions, if you have a sharp intellect, if you make good strategic moves, if you are successful in your field, or if your business instincts are spot-on, you have acumen. Even if you inherit an entire wholesale furniture dynasty from your grandfather, you could end up with nothing if you don’t have his business acumen.
Vocabulary lists containing acumen
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300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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GRE Verbal Reasoning, List 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Working with clients who are facing imminent death takes more than just financial acumen, however.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026
Gareth Southgate had reached one World Cup semi-final and two European Championship finals during his reign – but Tuchel's tactical acumen was viewed as what was needed to turn England from nearly men to winners.
From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026
It wasn’t market acumen or grasp of economic theory, but how he combined both with a temperament for navigating relentless political pressure.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
Barron’s Live: The Tampa Firefighters & Police Officers Pension Fund has outperformed the S&P 500 for more than 50 years, thanks to the investment acumen of its sole manager, the investment firm Bowen Hanes.
From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026
Over at the country club, or in enormous corner offices with picture windows that seemed to deserve something more than wide-angle views of scrub brush and mesquite, they confused luck with business acumen.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
