acute angle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acute angle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever a precise measurement is required, such as in mathematical or scientific writing. For example, "The triangle had an angle of 36 degrees, which was an acute angle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They make an acute angle.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

You might call it the acute angle of indecision.

The New York Times

Valeri's second was a brilliant finish from an acute angle.

The Guardian - Sport

There is no acute angle in the figure.

Nature

Gimenez fires it from an acute angle just over the bar.

The Guardian - Sport

But were his balls subjected to pinching (that acute angle between two high fences)?

The Guardian - Books

9.48pm GMT 83 mins: Seleznyov's shot from a very acute angle is saved.

The Guardian - Sport

Aleksandar Kolarov clipped it with a typically ferocious shot from an acute angle.

The Guardian - Sport

Vardy inflicted suitable punishment on his England colleague, intercepting and netting from an acute angle.

The Guardian - Sport

Brisbane claimed consolation in injury time as Emily Gielnik fired home from an acute angle.

The Guardian - Sport

The case of the acute angle treated by Lobachevsky and Bolyai required a sharper tool.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing geometric shapes or spatial relationships, use "acute angle" to precisely indicate angles less than 90 degrees. It's especially useful in mathematical and technical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "acute angle" interchangeably with "obtuse angle" or "right angle". Ensure the angle in question is indeed less than 90 degrees before using the term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acute angle" functions primarily as a noun phrase, specifying a type of angle in geometry. As shown in Ludwig, it precisely describes an angle measuring less than 90 degrees, used in mathematical and technical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acute angle" is a noun phrase used to denote an angle less than 90 degrees. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, including news, science, and academia. The phrase serves to provide precise descriptions in geometric and mathematical contexts. When writing, it's important to ensure the angle in question is indeed less than 90 degrees to avoid confusion with obtuse or right angles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sharp angle

Focuses on the sharpness of the angle.

angle less than 90 degrees

Provides a direct definition using numerical value.

angle measuring below 90°

Explicitly states the measurement criterion.

angle smaller than a right angle

Compares to a well-known geometric standard.

narrow angle

Emphasizes the reduced width of the angle.

non-obtuse angle

Defines it by excluding obtuse angles.

angle of less than a quadrant

Relates to a quadrant, a quarter of a circle.

small angle

General term indicating relative size.

initial angle

Refers to an angle at the beginning of a process or shape.

inward angle

Describes an angle pointing inward.

FAQs

How do I define "acute angle" in simple terms?

An "acute angle" is an angle that measures less than 90 degrees. It's smaller than a right angle.

What is the difference between an "acute angle" and an obtuse angle?

An "acute angle" is less than 90 degrees, while an obtuse angle is greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees.

Where is the phrase "acute angle" commonly used?

The phrase "acute angle" is commonly used in mathematics, geometry, architecture, and engineering when precise angle measurements are needed.

What's an alternative to using the term "acute angle"?

You can use phrases like "sharp angle" or "angle less than 90 degrees" depending on the context.