sharp
having a thin cutting edge or a fine point; well-adapted for cutting or piercing: a sharp knife.
terminating in an edge or point; not blunt or rounded: The table had sharp corners.
involving a sudden or abrupt change in direction or course: a sharp curve in the road; The car made a sharp turn.
abrupt, as an ascent: a sharp drop.
consisting of angular lines and pointed forms or of thin, long features: He had a sharp face.
clearly defined; distinct: a sharp photographic image.
distinct or marked, as a contrast: sharp differences of opinion.
pungent or biting in taste: a sharp cheese.
piercing or shrill in sound: a sharp cry.
keenly cold, as weather: a sharp, biting wind.
felt acutely; intense; distressing: sharp pain.
merciless, caustic, or harsh: sharp words.
fierce or violent: a sharp struggle.
keen or eager: sharp desire.
quick, brisk, or spirited.
alert or vigilant: They kept a sharp watch for the enemy.
mentally acute: a sharp lad.
extremely sensitive or responsive; keen: sharp vision; sharp hearing.
shrewd or astute: a sharp bargainer.
shrewd to the point of dishonesty: sharp practice.
Music.
(of a tone) raised a chromatic half step in pitch: F sharp.
above an intended pitch, as a note; too high (opposed to flat1 def. 26b).
Informal. very stylish: a sharp dresser; a sharp jacket.
Radio, Electronics. of, relating to, or responsive to a very narrow range of frequencies.: Compare broadband.
Phonetics. fortis; voiceless.
composed of hard, angular grains, as sand.
Music. to raise in pitch, especially by one chromatic half step.
to sound above the true pitch.
keenly or acutely.
abruptly or suddenly: to pull a horse up sharp.
punctually: Meet me at one o'clock sharp.
briskly; quickly: The horse turned sharp to the left.
Music. above the true pitch: You're singing a little sharp.
something sharp.
Usually sharps . a medium-length needle with a rounded eye and a sharp point, used for all-purpose hand sewing.
a sharper.
Informal. an expert.
Music.
a tone one chromatic half step above a given tone.
(in musical notation) the symbol ♯ indicating this.
Idioms about sharp
look sharp. look (def. 37).
Origin of sharp
1synonym study For sharp
Other words for sharp
6 | clear |
8 | acrid, bitter, piquant, sour |
10 | piercing, nipping, biting |
11 | severe, excruciating |
12 | unmerciful, cutting, acid, acrimonious, pointed, biting |
16 | attentive |
17 | clever, discriminating, discerning, perspicacious |
20 | shady, deceitful |
Opposites for sharp
Other words from sharp
- sharply, adverb
- sharpness, noun
- o·ver·sharp, adjective
- su·per·sharp, adjective
- ul·tra·sharp, adjective
- un·sharp, adjective
- un·sharp·ly, adverb
- un·sharp·ness, noun
- un·sharped, adjective
- un·sharp·ing, adjective
Words Nearby sharp
Other definitions for Sharp (2 of 2)
William "Fiona Macleod", 1855?–1905, Scottish poet and critic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use sharp in a sentence
The scientists focused on skeletons showing signs of trauma — especially injury with sharp objects.
Women like Mulan didn’t need to go to war in disguise | Bethany Brookshire | September 4, 2020 | Science News For StudentsThe employer result has remained above 70% since March, while all levels of government have seen sharp declines.
Workers trust their employers during the pandemic—for now | Alan Murray | September 3, 2020 | FortuneBecause it will take less pressure to cut through a given substance, a sharp knife is also a safer knife.
Three Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Knife | Wes Siler | September 3, 2020 | Outside OnlineYou have to give people the opportunity to weigh in on challenges and work and I think the diverse POVs that are looking at one particular object really creates sharper work.
Deep Dive: How companies and their employees are facing the future of work | Digiday | September 1, 2020 | DigidaySimilarly, other studies have found sharp regional differences in mask-wearing.
Having graduated Juilliard last spring, Alex sharp is too young to have given the performance of a lifetime.
Hedwig, Hugh & Michael Cera: 12 Powerhouse Theater Performances of 2014 | Janice Kaplan | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTTo unwind, sharp takes long showers, and stops himself from separating his food on his plate as Christopher would.
sharp was born in London, and spent the first seven years of his life traveling with his family around the US.
sharp has spent so long being Christopher he can just “drop into him and stay in him consistently” before a performance.
“Everything for someone like Christopher is over-stimulation,” sharp says.
A sob rose in her throat, and broke from her lips transformed into a trembling, sharp, glad cry.
The Bondboy | George W. (George Washington) OgdenIt was one of those long moments that makes a fellow draw his breath sharp when he thinks about it afterward.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairMrs. Vivian had hardly spoken when the sharp little vibration of her door-bell was heard in the hall.
Confidence | Henry JamesWhatever you do, don't write a word to that Carr friend of yours; he's as sharp as a two-edged sword.
Elster's Folly | Mrs. Henry WoodThe farmer told him it was six miles; "but," he added, "you must ride sharp, or you will get a wet jacket before you reach it."
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | Various
British Dictionary definitions for sharp (1 of 2)
/ (ʃɑːp) /
having a keen edge suitable for cutting
having an edge or point; not rounded or blunt
involving a sudden change, esp in direction: a sharp bend
moving, acting, or reacting quickly, efficiently, etc: sharp reflexes
clearly defined
mentally acute; clever; astute
sly or artful; clever in an underhand way: sharp practice
bitter or harsh: sharp words
shrill or penetrating: a sharp cry
having an acrid taste
keen; biting: a sharp wind; sharp pain
music
(immediately postpositive) denoting a note that has been raised in pitch by one chromatic semitone: B sharp
(of an instrument, voice, etc) out of tune by being or tending to be too high in pitch: Compare flat 1 (def. 23)
phonetics a less common word for fortis
informal
stylish
too smart
at the sharp end involved in the area of any activity where there is most difficulty, competition, danger, etc
in a sharp manner
exactly: six o'clock sharp
music
higher than a standard pitch
out of tune by being or tending to be too high in pitch: she sings sharp Compare flat 1 (def. 29)
music
an accidental that raises the pitch of the following note by one chromatic semitone: Usual symbol: ♯
a note affected by this accidental: Compare flat 1 (def. 35)
a thin needle with a sharp point
informal a sharper
(usually plural) any medical instrument with sharp point or edge, esp a hypodermic needle
(tr) music, US and Canadian to raise the pitch of (a note), esp by one chromatic semitone: Usual equivalent in Britain and certain other countries): sharpen
Southern African slang an exclamation of full agreement or approval
Origin of sharp
1Derived forms of sharp
- sharply, adverb
- sharpness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for Sharp (2 of 2)
/ (ʃɑːp) /
Cecil (James). 1859–1924, British musician, best known for collecting, editing, and publishing English folk songs
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with sharp
In addition to the idioms beginning with sharp
- sharp as a tack
- sharp practice
also see:
- keep an eye (a sharp lookout) for
- look sharp
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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