English Dictionary

Definition of “sharp”

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sharp (ʃɑːpPronunciation for sharp) 

Definitions

adjective

  1. having a keen edge suitable for cutting
  2. having an edge or point; not rounded or blunt
  3. involving a sudden change, esp in direction  ⇒ a sharp bend 
  4. moving, acting, or reacting quickly, efficiently, etc  ⇒ sharp reflexes 
  5. clearly defined
  6. mentally acute; clever; astute
  7. sly or artful; clever in an underhand way  ⇒ sharp practice 
  8. bitter or harsh  ⇒ sharp words 
  9. shrill or penetrating  ⇒ a sharp cry 
  10. having an acrid taste
  11. keen; biting  ⇒ a sharp wind sharp pain 
  12. music 
    1. (immediately postpositive) denoting a note that has been raised in pitch by one chromatic semitone  ⇒ B sharp 
    2. (of an instrument, voice, etc) out of tune by being or tending to be too high in pitch Compare flat1 (sense 23)
  13. phonetics a less common word for fortis
  14. informal 
    1. stylish
    2. too smart
  15. See at the sharp end

adverb

  1. in a sharp manner
  2. exactly  ⇒ six o'clock sharp 
  3. music 
    1. higher than a standard pitch
    2. out of tune by being or tending to be too high in pitch  ⇒ she sings sharp Compare flat1 (sense 29)

noun

  1. music 
    1. an accidental that raises the pitch of the following note by one chromatic semitone Usual symbol ♯
    2. a note affected by this accidental Compare flat1 (sense 35)
  2. a thin needle with a sharp point
  3. informal a sharper
  4. (usually plural) any medical instrument with sharp point or edge, esp a hypodermic needle

verb

  1. (tr) music US Canadian to raise the pitch of (a note), esp by one chromatic semitone sharpen

exclamation

  1. South Africa slang an exclamation of full agreement or approval

Alternative Forms

ˈsharply adverb ˈsharpness noun

Word Origin

Old English scearp;  related to Old Norse skarpr,  Old High German scarpf,  Old Irish cerb,  Lettish skarbs

Sharp (ʃɑːpPronunciation for Sharp) 

Definitions

noun

  1. Cecil (James). 1859–1924, British musician, best known for collecting, editing, and publishing English folk songs

Translations

  • British English: sharp Pronunciation for sharp A sharp point or edge is very thin and can cut through things quickly.Be careful, the scissors are sharp.ʃɑːp ADJECTIVE Be careful, the scissors are sharp.
  • Spanish: afilado Pronunciation for afilado adj afilada
  • French: affûté Pronunciation for affûté adj
  • German: scharf Pronunciation for scharf adj
  • Chinese: 锋利的Pronunciation for 锋利的 adj
  • Arabic: حادّPronunciation for حادّ adj
  • Portuguese: afiadoPronunciation for afiado adj afiada
  • Russian: острыйPronunciation for острый adj острая
  • Croatian: oštarPronunciation for oštar adj oštra
  • Czech: ostrýPronunciation for ostrý adj
  • Danish: skarpPronunciation for skarp adj
  • Dutch: scherpPronunciation for scherp adj
  • Finnish: teräväPronunciation for terävä adj
  • Greek: κοφτερόςPronunciation for κοφτερός adj κοφτερή
  • Italian: taglientePronunciation for tagliente adj
  • Japanese: 鋭いPronunciation for 鋭い adj
  • Korean: 날카로운Pronunciation for 날카로운 adj
  • Norwegian: skarpPronunciation for skarp adj
  • Polish: ostryPronunciation for ostry adj ostra
  • Brazilian Portuguese: afiadoPronunciation for afiado adj afiada
  • European Spanish: afilado Pronunciation for afilado adj afilada
  • Swedish: vassPronunciation for vass adj vasst
  • Thai: แหลมคมPronunciation for แหลมคม adj
  • Turkish: keskinPronunciation for keskin adj
  • Vietnamese: sắcPronunciation for sắc adj
  • British English: sharp A sharp feeling is sudden and is very big or strong.I felt a sharp pain in my right leg.ʃɑːp ADJECTIVE I felt a sharp pain in my right leg.
  • French: intense adj
  • Arabic: واخِز adj
  • Brazilian Portuguese: agudo adj aguda

Usage examples

  • The sharp edges of the jacket stuffed with casino chips cut into her ribs.
    Robert Wilson, THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS (2002)
  • This is in sharp contrast to the experience reported among adults that SARS has a very high infectivity rate, the researchers note.
    New Scientist (2003)
  • SSCC itself reported a sharp fall in the first quarter, with pretax profits falling from $46 million to $14 million.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • By January, these prompted the US Federal Reserve to consider, then cut, interest rates, prompting a sharp rally by the month end.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Otherwise, a thoughtless moment can erupt into hurt feelings and sharp words, especially if they are under pressure.
    Michael Geary, MOON ASTROLOGY FOR LOVERS (2002)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'S'

Related Terms

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