How to pronounce acumen
Say it like AK-yuh-mun. Acumen has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce acumen. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AK
- yuh
- mun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Acumen pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- yuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- munKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of acumen
American and British speakers say acumen in essentially the same way: /ˈækjəmən/ in the US and /ˈækjʊmən/ in the UK.
British respelling: AK-yuu-mun.
What does acumen mean?
- Quickness of perception or discernment; penetration of mind; the faculty of nice discrimination; acuity of mind.
- A sharp, tapering point extending from a plant.
- A bony, often sharp, protuberance, especially that of the ischium.
Where does acumen come from?
Borrowed from Latin acūmen (“sharp point”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying acumen
How do you pronounce acumen?
Say AK-yuh-mun. The American pronunciation is /ˈækjəmən/. In British English it is /ˈækjʊmən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in acumen?
Acumen has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AK). Broken into parts: AK · yuh · mun.
Do Americans and Brits say acumen the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈækjəmən/ and the British form is /ˈækjʊmən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.