sharp Definition
sharp (s̸härp)
adjective
- suitable for use in cutting or piercing; having a very thin edge or fine point; keen
- having a point or edge; not rounded or blunt; peaked a sharp ridge, features, etc.
- not gradual; abrupt; acute a sharp turn
- clearly defined; distinct; clear a sharp contrast
- made up of hard, angular particles, as sand
- quick, acute, or penetrating in perception or intellect; specif.,
- acutely sensitive in seeing, hearing, etc.
- clever; shrewd
- showing or having a keen awareness; attentive; vigilant a sharp lookout
- crafty; designing; underhanded
- harsh, biting, or severe a sharp temper, criticism, etc.
- violent or impetuous; sudden and forceful a sharp attack
- brisk; active; vigorous a sharp run
- having a keen effect on the senses or feelings; specif.,
- severe; intense; acute; keen a sharp pain, grief, appetite, etc.
- strong; biting; pungent, as in taste or smell
- high-pitched; shrill a sharp sound
- brilliant; intense a sharp flash of light
- cold and cutting a sharp wind
- Slang attractively or stylishly dressed or groomed
- Music
- higher in pitch by a half step C sharp (C)
- 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
- in a sharp manner; specif.,
- abruptly or briskly
- attentively or alertly
- so as to have a sharp point or edge
- keenly; piercingly
- Music above the true or proper pitch
- precisely; exactly one o'clock sharp
noun
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 Synonyms
sharp
modif.
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. 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. Having a keen mind
clever, astute, bright; see intelligent 1.Having the ability to wound with words
caustic, biting, acrimonious; see sarcastic.Not quite honest or honorable
Distinct
audible, visible, explicit; see clear 2, definite 2, obvious 1.Vigilant
Intense
Vigorous
*Excellent
fine, distinctive, first-class; see excellent.*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.
Browse dictionary entries near sharp
- ‹ Sharon
- ‹ sharksucker
- ‹ sharkskin
- ‹ shark repellent
- ‹ shark
- ‹ sharing
- ‹ sharif
- ‹ sharia
- ‹ Shari
- ‹ shareware

