acumen

[ uh-kyoo-muhn, ak-yuh- ]

noun

1. keen insight; shrewdness:

   remarkable acumen in business matters.

acumen

/ əˈkjuːmən; ˈækjʊˌmɛn /

noun

1. the ability to judge well; keen discernment; insight

Derived Forms

• aˈcuminous, adjective

Other Words From

• a·cu·mi·nous [uh, -, kyoo, -m, uh, -n, uh, s], adjective
• una·cumi·nous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of acumen¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin acūmen “sharpness,” from acū-, stem of acuere “to sharpen” ( acute ) + -men, noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of acumen¹

C16: from Latin: sharpness, from acuere to sharpen, from acus needle

Example Sentences

The press has become overwhelmingly involved in politics to the point of obsession — but without the acumen to provide insight.

From Salon

The standard critique has always been that he lacks something that we imagine to be a prerequisite for high office: breeding, or grammar, or diplomacy, or business acumen, or love of country.

From Salon

Bautista said she admires Trump for what she describes as his business acumen, and said she owns three of his books.

From Los Angeles Times

Complementing Walter’s generosity has been the renowned acumen of Friedman, baseball’s best executive who had a stellar season that far exceeded even the signings of Ohtani and Yamamoto.

From Los Angeles Times

While the business acumen of both clubs can be appreciated and has certainly positioned these two sides to take part in this huge fixture, it is the quality on the field that whets the appetite.

From BBC

Related Words

• acuity
• awareness
• brilliance
• guile
• ingenuity
• insight
• intellect
• intelligence
• intuition
• judgment
• sensitivity
• shrewdness
• vision
• wisdom
• wit