How to pronounce acute
Say it like uh-KYOOT. Acute has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KYOOT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce acute. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- KYOOT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Acute pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- KYOOTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of acute
American and British speakers say acute in essentially the same way: /əˈkjut/ in the US and /əˈkjuːt/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-KYOOT.
What does acute mean?
- having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course“acute appendicitis”“the acute phase of the illness”
- extremely sharp or severe“acute pain”“felt acute annoyance”
- having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions“an acute observer of politics and politicians”“incisive comments”
- a mark placed above a vowel to indicate pronunciation
Where does acute come from?
As regards the noun, which is derived from the verb, compare Middle English acūte (“severe but short-lived fever; of blood: corrosiveness, sharpness; musical note of high pitch”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with acute
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of acute.
Questions about saying acute
How do you pronounce acute?
Say uh-KYOOT. The American pronunciation is /əˈkjut/. In British English it is /əˈkjuːt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in acute?
Acute has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KYOOT). Broken into parts: uh · KYOOT.
Do Americans and Brits say acute the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈkjut/ and the British form is /əˈkjuːt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.