Word of the Day - 09/17/25
acumen
/ə'kjumən/(n.): shrewdness shown by keen insight
Her business acumen allowed her to make strategic decisions that led to the company's success.
Word Origin
The word 'acumen' comes from the Latin noun 'acūmen', meaning 'a point, sharpness, or intellectual keenness'. This Latin word itself is derived from 'acuere', meaning 'to sharpen', and is related to 'acus', meaning 'needle'.
Words with similar origins include 'acute', which comes directly from Latin 'acūtus' (sharp, pointed), a past participle of 'acuere'. Another related word is 'acuminate', meaning 'to sharpen to a point' or 'tapering to a point'. 'Acupuncture' also shares a root, coming from Latin 'acus' (needle) and 'punctura' (pricking).