Acumen (noun)Pronunciation
ə-ˈkyü-mən, ˈa-kyə-mən
Definition
Keenness and depth of perception, discernment, or discrimination especially in practical matters
Example sentence
Fresh out of college, Sherry sought to augment her business acumen through networking lunches with seasoned professionals.
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Do you struggle with pronouncing new words? If so, “acumen” is just the word for you, as there are TWO ways to get it right!
Dating back to the late 16th century, the word’s traditional pronunciation — stress on the second syllable — points to Latin origins. However, in recent years, the more common, Anglicized pronunciation places stress on the first syllable.
So what’s the right way to say it? Depends on who you ask. According to www.dictionary.com, in a recent survey, 68 percent of the usage panel chose to place emphasis on the first syllable, while 29 percent preferred the pronunciation with stress on the second. The remaining 3 percent of the panelists couldn't decide, saying they use both pronunciations.
Definition and pronunciation taken from Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary.
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