acute

Universal Words adjective 1 very serious or severe: There is an acute shortage of water. * acute pain * the world's acute environmental problems * Competition for jobs is acute. * The scandal was an acute embarrassment for the President. 2 an acute illness is one that has quickly become severe and dangerous: acute appendicitis compareCHRONIC 3 (of the senses) very sensitive and well developed: Dogs have an acute sense of smell. 4 intelligent and quick to notice and understand things: He is an acute observer of the social scene. * Her judgement is acute. 5 (geometry) (of an angle) less than 90ｰ acuteness noun [U] (rare)