sharp
having a thin cutting edge or a fine point; well-adapted for cutting or piercing: a sharp knife.
terminating in an edge or point; not blunt or rounded: The table had sharp corners.
involving a sudden or abrupt change in direction or course: a sharp curve in the road; The car made a sharp turn.
abrupt, as an ascent: a sharp drop.
consisting of angular lines and pointed forms or of thin, long features: He had a sharp face.
clearly defined; distinct: a sharp photographic image.
distinct or marked, as a contrast: sharp differences of opinion.
pungent or biting in taste: a sharp cheese.
piercing or shrill in sound: a sharp cry.
keenly cold, as weather: a sharp, biting wind.
felt acutely; intense; distressing: sharp pain.
merciless, caustic, or harsh: sharp words.
fierce or violent:a sharp struggle.
keen or eager: sharp desire.
quick, brisk, or spirited.
alert or vigilant: They kept a sharp watch for the enemy.
mentally acute: a sharp lad.
extremely sensitive or responsive; keen: sharp vision; sharp hearing.
shrewd or astute: a sharp bargainer.
shrewd to the point of dishonesty: sharp practice.
Music.
(of a tone) raised a chromatic half step in pitch: F sharp.
above an intended pitch, as a note; too high (opposed to flat1 def. 26b).
Informal. very stylish: a sharp dresser; a sharp jacket.
Radio, Electronics. of, relating to, or responsive to a very narrow range of frequencies.: Compare broadband.
Phonetics. fortis; voiceless.
composed of hard, angular grains, as sand.
Music. to raise in pitch, especially by one chromatic half step.
to sound above the true pitch.
keenly or acutely.
abruptly or suddenly: to pull a horse up sharp.
punctually: Meet me at one o'clock sharp.
briskly; quickly: The horse turned sharp to the left.
Music. above the true pitch: You're singing a little sharp.
something sharp.
Usually sharps . a medium-length needle with a rounded eye and a sharp point, used for all-purpose hand sewing.
a sharper.
Informal. an expert.
Music.
a tone one chromatic half step above a given tone.
(in musical notation) the symbol ♯ indicating this.
Idioms about sharp
look sharp. look (def. 37).
Origin of sharp
1synonym study For sharp
Other words for sharp
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 |
20 | shady, deceitful |
Opposites for sharp
Other words from sharp
- sharply, adverb
- sharpness, noun
- o·ver·sharp, adjective
- su·per·sharp, adjective
- ul·tra·sharp, adjective
- un·sharp, adjective
- un·sharp·ly, adverb
- un·sharp·ness, noun
- un·sharped, adjective
- un·sharp·ing, adjective
Other definitions for Sharp (2 of 2)
William "Fiona Macleod", 1855?–1905, Scottish poet and critic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for sharp (1 of 2)
/ (ʃɑːp) /
having a keen edge suitable for cutting
having an edge or point; not rounded or blunt
involving a sudden change, esp in direction: a sharp bend
moving, acting, or reacting quickly, efficiently, etc: sharp reflexes
clearly defined
mentally acute; clever; astute
sly or artful; clever in an underhand way: sharp practice
bitter or harsh: sharp words
shrill or penetrating: a sharp cry
having an acrid taste
keen; biting: a sharp wind; sharp pain
music
(immediately postpositive) denoting a note that has been raised in pitch by one chromatic semitone: B sharp
(of an instrument, voice, etc) out of tune by being or tending to be too high in pitch: Compare flat 1 (def. 23)
phonetics a less common word for fortis
informal
stylish
too smart
at the sharp end involved in the area of any activity where there is most difficulty, competition, danger, etc
in a sharp manner
exactly: six o'clock sharp
music
higher than a standard pitch
out of tune by being or tending to be too high in pitch: she sings sharp Compare flat 1 (def. 29)
music
an accidental that raises the pitch of the following note by one chromatic semitone: Usual symbol: ♯
a note affected by this accidental: Compare flat 1 (def. 35)
a thin needle with a sharp point
informal a sharper
(usually plural) any medical instrument with sharp point or edge, esp a hypodermic needle
(tr) music, US and Canadian to raise the pitch of (a note), esp by one chromatic semitone: Usual equivalent in Britain and certain other countries): sharpen
Southern African slang an exclamation of full agreement or approval
Origin of sharp
1Derived forms of sharp
- sharply, adverb
- sharpness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for Sharp (2 of 2)
/ (ʃɑːp) /
Cecil (James). 1859–1924, British musician, best known for collecting, editing, and publishing English folk songs
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with sharp
In addition to the idioms beginning with sharp
- sharp as a tack
- sharp practice
also see:
- keep an eye (a sharp lookout) for
- look sharp
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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