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sharply

 - 3 dictionary results

sharp

  [shahrp] adjective, -er, -est, verb, adverb, noun
Use sharply in a Sentence
–adjective
1. having a thin cutting edge or a fine point; well-adapted for cutting or piercing: a sharp knife.
2. terminating in an edge or point; not blunt or rounded: The table had sharp corners.
3. involving a sudden or abrupt change in direction or course: a sharp curve in the road; The car made a sharp turn.
4. abrupt, as an ascent: a sharp drop.
5. consisting of angular lines and pointed forms or of thin, long features: He had a sharp face.
6. clearly defined; distinct: a sharp photographic image.
7. distinct or marked, as a contrast: sharp differences of opinion.
8. pungent or biting in taste: a sharp cheese.
9. piercing or shrill in sound: a sharp cry.
10. keenly cold, as weather: a sharp, biting wind.
11. felt acutely; intense; distressing: sharp pain.
12. merciless, caustic, or harsh: sharp words.
13. fierce or violent: a sharp struggle.
14. keen or eager: sharp desire.
15. quick, brisk, or spirited.
16. alert or vigilant: They kept a sharp watch for the enemy.
17. mentally acute: a sharp lad.
18. extremely sensitive or responsive; keen: sharp vision; sharp hearing.
19. shrewd or astute: a sharp bargainer.
20. shrewd to the point of dishonesty: sharp practice.
21. Music.
a. (of a tone) raised a chromatic half step in pitch: F sharp.
b. above an intended pitch, as a note; too high (opposed to flat ).
22. Informal. very stylish: a sharp dresser; a sharp jacket.
23. Radio, Electronics. of, relating to, or responsive to a very narrow range of frequencies. Compare broadband.
24. Phonetics. fortis; voiceless.
25. composed of hard, angular grains, as sand.
–verb (used with object)
26. Music. to raise in pitch, esp. by one chromatic half step.
–verb (used without object)
27. to sound above the true pitch.
–adverb
28. keenly or acutely.
29. abruptly or suddenly: to pull a horse up sharp.
30. punctually: Meet me at one o'clock sharp.
31. vigilantly.
32. briskly; quickly.
33. Music. above the true pitch: You're singing a little sharp.
–noun
34. something sharp.
35. Usually, sharps. a medium-length needle with a rounded eye and a sharp point, used for all-purpose hand sewing.
36. a sharper.
37. Informal. an expert.
38. Music.
a. a tone one chromatic half step above a given tone.
b. (in musical notation) the symbol ♯ indicating this.
Origin:
bef. 900; (adj.) ME; OE scearp; c. G scharf; akin to Ir cearb a cut (n.), keen (adj.); (adv.) ME; OE scearpe, deriv. of the adj.; (n.) ME, deriv. of the adj.; (v.) deriv. of the adj.

Related forms:
sharply, adverb
sharpness, noun

Synonyms:
1. Sharp, keen refer to the edge or point of an instrument, tool, and the like. Sharp applies, in general, to a cutting edge or a point capable of piercing: a sharp knife; a sharp point. Keen is usually applied to sharp edges: a keen sword blade. 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. As applied to mental qualities, sharp, keen, intelligent, quick have varying implications. Sharp suggests an acute, sensitive, alert, penetrating quality: a sharp mind. Keen implies observant, incisive, and vigorous: a keen intellect. Intelligent means not only acute, alert, and active, but also able to reason and understand: an intelligent reader. Quick suggests lively and rapid comprehension, prompt response to instruction, and the like: quick at figures. 20. shady, deceitful.

Antonyms:
1. dull.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To sharply
sharp   (shärp)   
adj.   sharp·er, sharp·est

  1. Having a thin edge or a fine point suitable for or capable of cutting or piercing.

    1. Having clear form and detail: a sharp photographic image.

    2. Terminating in an edge or a point: sharp angular cliffs; a sharp nose.

    3. Clearly and distinctly set forth: sharp contrasts in behavior.

    4. Intellectually penetrating; astute.

    5. Marked by keenness and accuracy of perception: sharp hearing.

    6. Briskly or keenly cold and cutting: a sharp wind.

    7. Harsh or biting in tone or character: sharp criticism.

    8. Sudden and shrill: a sharp whistle.

    9. Sudden and brilliant or dazzling: a sharp flash of lightning.

    10. Raised in pitch by a semitone.

    11. Being above the proper pitch.

    12. Having the key signature in sharps.

  3. Abrupt or acute: a sharp drop; a sharp turn.

    1. Intellectually penetrating; astute.

    2. Marked by keenness and accuracy of perception: sharp hearing.

    3. Briskly or keenly cold and cutting: a sharp wind.

    4. Harsh or biting in tone or character: sharp criticism.

    5. Sudden and shrill: a sharp whistle.

    6. Sudden and brilliant or dazzling: a sharp flash of lightning.

    7. Raised in pitch by a semitone.

    8. Being above the proper pitch.

    9. Having the key signature in sharps.

  5. Crafty or deceitful, as in business dealings: sharp selling practices.

  6. Vigilant; alert: kept a sharp lookout for shoplifters.

    1. Briskly or keenly cold and cutting: a sharp wind.

    2. Harsh or biting in tone or character: sharp criticism.

    3. Sudden and shrill: a sharp whistle.

    4. Sudden and brilliant or dazzling: a sharp flash of lightning.

    5. Raised in pitch by a semitone.

    6. Being above the proper pitch.

    7. Having the key signature in sharps.

  8. Fierce or impetuous; violent: a sharp temper; a sharp assault.

  9. Intense; severe: a sharp pain.

    1. Sudden and shrill: a sharp whistle.

    2. Sudden and brilliant or dazzling: a sharp flash of lightning.

    3. Raised in pitch by a semitone.

    4. Being above the proper pitch.

    5. Having the key signature in sharps.

  11. Strongly affecting the senses of smell and taste: a sharp pungent odor; a sharp cheese.

  12. Composed of hard angular particles: sharp sand.

  13. Music

    1. Raised in pitch by a semitone.

    2. Being above the proper pitch.

    3. Having the key signature in sharps.

  14. Informal Attractive or stylish: a sharp jacket. See Synonyms at fashionable.

adv.  

  1. In a sharp manner: hit me sharp on the brow.

  2. Punctually; exactly: at three o'clock sharp.

  3. Music Above the true or proper pitch.

n.  

  1. Music

    1. A sign (♯) used to indicate that a note is to be raised by a half step.

    2. A note that is raised a half step.

    3. An expert.

    4. A shrewd cheater; a sharper.

  2. A slender sewing needle with a very fine point.

  3. Informal

    1. An expert.

    2. A shrewd cheater; a sharper.

v.   sharped, sharp·ing, sharps Music

v.   tr.
To raise in pitch by a semitone.
v.   intr.
To play or sing above the proper pitch.

[Middle English scharp, from Old English scearp; see sker-1 in Indo-European roots.]
sharp'ly adv., sharp'ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives all apply literally to fine edges, points, or tips. Figuratively they indicate mental alertness and clarity of comprehension. Sharp suggests quickness and astuteness: "a young man of sharp and active intellect" (John Henry Newman).
Keen implies clear-headedness and acuity: a journalist with a keen mind and quick wits.
Acute suggests penetrating perception or discernment: an acute observer of national politics.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: sharp
Pronunciation: 'shärp
Function: noun
: a medical instrument (as a scalpel, hypodermic needle, or breakable culture dish) that is sharpor may produce sharp pieces by shattering sharp left in the workplace> —usually used in plural sharps>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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