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sharp Definition

sharp (s̸härp)

adjective

  1. suitable for use in cutting or piercing; having a very thin edge or fine point; keen
  2. having a point or edge; not rounded or blunt; peaked a sharp ridge, features, etc.
  3. not gradual; abrupt; acute a sharp turn
  4. clearly defined; distinct; clear a sharp contrast
  5. made up of hard, angular particles, as sand
  6. quick, acute, or penetrating in perception or intellect; specif.,
    1. acutely sensitive in seeing, hearing, etc.
    2. clever; shrewd
  7. showing or having a keen awareness; attentive; vigilant a sharp lookout
  8. crafty; designing; underhanded
  9. harsh, biting, or severe a sharp temper, criticism, etc.
  10. violent or impetuous; sudden and forceful a sharp attack
  11. brisk; active; vigorous a sharp run
  12. having a keen effect on the senses or feelings; specif.,
    1. severe; intense; acute; keen a sharp pain, grief, appetite, etc.
    2. strong; biting; pungent, as in taste or smell
    3. high-pitched; shrill a sharp sound
    4. brilliant; intense a sharp flash of light
    5. cold and cutting a sharp wind
  13. Slang attractively or stylishly dressed or groomed
  14. Music
    1. higher in pitch by a half step C sharp (C)
    2. out of tune by being above the true or proper pitch

Etymology: ME < OE scearp, akin to Ger scharf, ON skarpr < IE *(s)kerb(h)- < base *(s)ker-, to cut > shear, harvest, L caro, flesh

adverb

  1. in a sharp manner; specif.,
    1. abruptly or briskly
    2. attentively or alertly
    3. so as to have a sharp point or edge
    4. keenly; piercingly
    5. Music above the true or proper pitch
  2. precisely; exactly one o'clock sharp

noun

  1. a sewing needle with an extremely fine point
  2. Informal an expert or adept
  3. Informal shark, sharper
  4. Music
    1. a note or tone one half step above another
    2. the sign () indicating such a note

transitive verb

Music to make sharp; raise a half step

intransitive verb

Music to sing or play above the true or proper pitch

sharp Related Forms

sharp′ly adverb sharp′·ness noun

sharp Synonyms

sharp

modif.

  1. Having a keen edge

    acute, edged, keen, keen-edged, razor-edged, sharpened, ground fine, honed, honed to razor sharpness, razor-sharp, sharp-edged, fine, cutting, knifelike, knife-edged.

    Antonyms dull*, unsharpened, blunt. *

  2. Having a keen point

    pointed, keen, sharp-pointed, spiked, spiky, peaked, needle-pointed, keen, fine, salient, spiny, thorny, prickly, barbed, needlelike, briery, stinging, sharp as a needle, pronged, tapered, tapering, horned, unguiculate, acuate, acuminate, aculeate, muricate, aciculate, aciculated, aciculiform.

  3. Having a keen mind

    clever, astute, bright; see intelligent 1.

  4. Having the ability to wound with words

    caustic, biting, acrimonious; see sarcastic.

  5. Not quite honest or honorable

    crafty, designing, underhand; see sly 1.

  6. Distinct

    audible, visible, explicit; see clear 2, definite 2, obvious 1.

  7. Vigilant

    attentive, watchful, close; see observant 1, 2.

  8. Intense

    cutting, biting, piercing; see intense.

  9. Vigorous

    brisk, energetic, lively; see active 2.

  10. *Excellent

    fine, distinctive, first-class; see excellent.

  11. *Stylish

    dressy, chic, in style; see fashionable.

sharp and keen both apply to that which is cutting, biting, incisive, or piercing, as because of a fine edge, but sharp more often implies a harsh cutting quality a sharp pain, tongue, flavor, etc. and keen often suggests a pleasantly biting or stimulating quality keen wit, delight, etc. or a marked enthusiasm or intensity a keen student; acute literally implies sharp-pointedness and figuratively suggests a penetrating or poignant quality acute hearing, distress, etc. and often connotes suddenness and severity an acute heart attack

sharp Usage Examples

Object

bin: If no box is available this type of waste should be placed in ' sharps bins ' and not in yellow bags.

Preposition: as

tack: She is not only a star but as sharp as a tack.

Adjective modifier

contaminated: Another reminder of Trusts ' obligations when disposing of prescription only medicine contaminated sharps has been posted on the DH website.

Modifies a noun

  • knife: Then with a sharp knife cut smaller squares off with the blade at an angle.
  • contrast: In sharp contrast, Glasgow has the highest spend on roads per capita.
  • edge: Make sure targets do not have any sharp edges to injure players or damage disks.
  • bend: Not being familiar with the roads I was erring on the side of caution, not knowing where all the sharp bends were.
  • tooth: We know the Data Protection Act does not have sharp enough teeth to protect patient privacy.
  • decline: There has been a sharp decline in the number of hours of coverage.

Used with adjective complement

  • stay: Tests have proven they start sharper and stay sharper.
  • pin: Pin sharp through the corners it bursts out the other side with a snarl from the underseat exhaust.
  • look: Kurt Campbell 5 - Failed to impress and did not look sharp coming back from his injury.
  • appear: When the lens is more curved, the top image appears sharper.
  • turn: As the previous route until joining the Achray Forest Drive then turn sharp left on to the drive.

Modifying Another Word

  • exceedingly: The peaks arise because the denominator will approach zero at sinusoidal frequencies, resulting in exceedingly sharp spectral peaks.
  • incredibly: It is well lit and the focusing is incredibly sharp considering the conditions the photo was taken in.
  • wonderfully: The film is available in a two disk package, with a wonderfully sharp version of the 1949 film.
  • extremely: Zach Braff's visual treat is vividly brought to life via an extremely sharp picture that really takes you into Large's world.
  • surprisingly: And the Count's bailiff has surprisingly sharp eyes.

Preposition: than

sword: Lord, you tell us that your word is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword.