Acetic acid (\( \text{CH}_3\text{COOH} \)) is a weak organic acid. It partially dissociates in water to release \( \text{H}^+ \) ions, making it a weak acid.
It does not act as a base under normal conditions.
Final Answer: \( \text{CH}_3\text{COOH} \) is a \( \mathbf{\text{weak acid}} \), which corresponds to option \( \mathbf{(2)} \).