acumen
Acumen is the ability to make quick, accurate judgments and wise decisions, especially in a specific domain such as business or politics. it implies a combination of mental sharpness, insight, and practical experience.
Examples
3 of 5Her financial acumen helped the family save enough money to buy a new home within two years.
Her financial insight helped the family save enough money to buy a new home within two years.
The diplomat's political acumen was vital in resolving the complex international dispute.
The diplomat's political shrewdness was vital in resolving the complex international dispute.
You really have some serious street acumen when it comes to finding the best deals in this city.
You really have some serious practical wit when it comes to finding the best deals in this city.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'a keen mind.' Acumen sounds like 'a-keen-men.' A person with acumen has a keen mind for solving problems.
Quick Quiz
Despite his young age, the entrepreneur showed great business _______ during the difficult negotiations.
Correct!
The correct answer is: acumen
Examples
Her financial acumen helped the family save enough money to buy a new home within two years.
everydayHer financial insight helped the family save enough money to buy a new home within two years.
The diplomat's political acumen was vital in resolving the complex international dispute.
formalThe diplomat's political shrewdness was vital in resolving the complex international dispute.
You really have some serious street acumen when it comes to finding the best deals in this city.
informalYou really have some serious practical wit when it comes to finding the best deals in this city.
The professor’s critical acumen allowed her to spot the logical flaws in the ancient manuscript.
academicThe professor’s analytical sharpness allowed her to spot the logical flaws in the ancient manuscript.
The CEO is widely respected for her remarkable business acumen and aggressive expansion strategies.
businessThe CEO is widely respected for her remarkable business judgment and aggressive expansion strategies.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
sharp acumen
highly developed ability to judge situations
commercial acumen
the ability to understand what makes a business successful
legal acumen
sharpness in understanding and applying law
Often Confused With
Acuity refers to physical sharpness, like vision or hearing, while acumen refers to mental sharpness in judgment.
Accuracy is the quality of being correct or precise, whereas acumen is the ability to make good decisions.
Usage Notes
Acumen is almost always used as an uncountable noun and is frequently preceded by a specific field of expertise, such as 'business' or 'legal.' It is a complimentary term used to describe high-level professional skills.
Common Mistakes
Learners often try to use 'acumen' as a verb or pluralize it as 'acumens'; remember that it is a singular, uncountable noun.
Memory Tip
Think of 'a keen mind.' Acumen sounds like 'a-keen-men.' A person with acumen has a keen mind for solving problems.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin word 'acumen,' meaning 'a point' or 'sting,' which comes from 'acuere,' meaning 'to sharpen.'
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
This word is very common in corporate environments and is a frequent 'buzzword' on resumes and LinkedIn profiles to indicate professional mastery.
Quick Quiz
Despite his young age, the entrepreneur showed great business _______ during the difficult negotiations.
Correct!
The correct answer is: acumen
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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