Meaning of sharp in English
Table of contents
Pronunciation
/ʃɑrp/US accent
UK accent
to browse different examples of pronunciation.Classifying Adjective
sharpDefinitions
1. (of something seen or heard) clearly definedExamples
- « a sharp photographic image »
- « the sharp crack of a twig »
- « the crisp snap of dry leaves underfoot »
Synonyms
- 2. ending in a sharp point
Synonyms
- 3. having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
Examples
- « an acute observer of politics and politicians »
- « incisive comments »
- « icy knifelike reasoning »
- « as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang »
- « penetrating insight »
- « frequent pene »
Synonyms
- 4. marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
Examples
- « a smart businessman »
- « an astute tenant always reads the small print in a lease »
- « he was too shrewd to go along with them on a road that could lead only to their overthrow »
Synonyms
- 5. harsh
Examples
- « sharp criticism »
- « a sharp-worded exchange »
- « a tart remark »
Synonyms
- 6. high-pitched and sharp
Examples
- « piercing screams »
- « a shrill whistle »
Synonyms
- 7. extremely steep
Examples
- « an abrupt canyon »
- « the precipitous rapids of the upper river »
- « the precipitous hills of Chinese paintings »
- « a sharp drop »
Synonyms
- 8. very penetrating and clear and sharp in operation
Examples
- « an incisive mind »
- « a keen intelligence »
- « of sharp and active intellect »
Synonyms
- 9. sour or bitter in taste
Synonyms
- 10. very sudden and in great amount or degree
Examples
- « a sharp drop in the stock market »
Synonyms
- 11. quick and forceful
Examples
- « a sharp blow »
Synonyms
Adverb
sharpDefinitions
1. changing suddenly in direction and degreeExamples
- « the road twists sharply after the light »
- « turn sharp left here »
Noun
sharpDefinitions
1. a musical notation indicating one half step higher than the note named- 2. a long thin sewing needle with a sharp point
Qualitative Adjective
sharpEtymology
Old English sc(e)arp, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch scherp and German scharfDefinitions
1. keenly and painfully feltExamples
- « as if caused by a sharp edge or point »
- « a sharp pain »
- « sharp winds »
Synonyms
Antonyms
- 2. having or made by a thin edge or sharp point
Examples
- « suitable for cutting or piercing »
- « a sharp knife »
- « a pencil with a sharp point »
Synonyms
Antonyms
- 3. raised in pitch by one chromatic semitone
Examples
- « C sharp »
Antonyms
Famous quotes
- « The only faith that wears well and holds its color in all weathers is that which is woven of conviction and set with the sharp mordant of experience. » James Russell Lowell
- « But curb thou the high spirit in thy breast, for gentle ways are best, and keep aloof from sharp contentions. » Homer
- « March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to move toward perfection. March on, and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life's path. » Khalil Gibran
- « To me, the Seventies were very inspirational and very influential... With my whole persona as Snoop Dogg, as a person, as a rapper. I just love the Seventies style, the way all the players dressed nice, you know, kept their hair looking good, drove sharp cars and they talked real slick. » Snoop Dogg
- « I visited Jobs for the last time in his Palo Alto, Calif., home. He had moved to a downstairs bedroom because he was too weak to go up and down stairs. He was curled up in some pain, but his mind was still sharp and his humor vibrant. » Walter Isaacson