Meaning of sharp in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ʃɑrp/

   US accent

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   UK accent

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1. Classifying Adjective

   sharp

   Definitions

   1. (of something seen or heard) clearly defined

   Examples

   • « a sharp photographic image »
   • « the sharp crack of a twig »
   • « the crisp snap of dry leaves underfoot »

   Synonyms

   • distinct
2. 2. ending in a sharp point

   Synonyms

   • pointed
3. 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

   • perceptive
4. 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

   • smart
5. 5. harsh

   Examples

   • « sharp criticism »
   • « a sharp-worded exchange »
   • « a tart remark »

   Synonyms

   • unpleasant
6. 6. high-pitched and sharp

   Examples

   • « piercing screams »
   • « a shrill whistle »

   Synonyms

   • high
   • high-pitched
7. 7. extremely steep

   Examples

   • « an abrupt canyon »
   • « the precipitous rapids of the upper river »
   • « the precipitous hills of Chinese paintings »
   • « a sharp drop »

   Synonyms

   • steep
8. 8. very penetrating and clear and sharp in operation

   Examples

   • « an incisive mind »
   • « a keen intelligence »
   • « of sharp and active intellect »

   Synonyms

   • intelligent
9. 9. sour or bitter in taste

   Synonyms

   • sour
10. 10. very sudden and in great amount or degree

    Examples

    • « a sharp drop in the stock market »

    Synonyms

    • sudden
11. 11. quick and forceful

    Examples

    • « a sharp blow »

    Synonyms

    • forceful

12. Adverb

    sharp

    Definitions

    1. changing suddenly in direction and degree

    Examples

    • « the road twists sharply after the light »
    • « turn sharp left here »

13. Noun

    sharp

    Definitions

    1. a musical notation indicating one half step higher than the note named
14. 2. a long thin sewing needle with a sharp point

15. Qualitative Adjective

    sharp

    Etymology

    Old English sc(e)arp, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch scherp and German scharf

    Definitions

    1. keenly and painfully felt

    Examples

    • « as if caused by a sharp edge or point »
    • « a sharp pain »
    • « sharp winds »

    Synonyms

    • acute
    • intense
    • cutting
    • keen
    • knifelike
    • piercing
    • stabbing
    • lancinate
    • lancinating
    • fulgurating
    • scratching
    • salt

    Antonyms

    • dull
16. 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

    • carnassial
    • cutting
    • edged
    • incisive
    • piercing
    • keen
    • knifelike
    • penetrative
    • penetrating
    • sharpened
    • razor-sharp

    Antonyms

    • dull
17. 3. raised in pitch by one chromatic semitone

    Examples

    • « C sharp »

    Antonyms

    • flat
    • natural