definition of the word sharp

Middle English from Old English scearp

• (GenAM) /ʃɑɹp/
• RP /ʃɑːp/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -ɑː(r)p

sharp (comparative sharper, superlative sharpest)

1. Able to cut easily.

   I keep my knives sharp so that they don't slip unexpectedly while carving.

2. (colloquial) Intelligent.

   My nephew is a sharp lad; he can count to 100 in six languages, and he's only five years old.

3. Able to pierce easily.

   Ernest had made the pencil too sharp, and accidentally stabbed himself with it.

4. (music) Higher than usual by one semitone (denoted by the name of the note followed by the symbol ♯).
5. (music) Higher in pitch than required.

   The oboe was an eighth of a tone sharp.

6. Having an intense, acrid flavour, as sharp cheddar.

   Milly couldn't stand sharp cheeses when she was pregnant, as they made her nauseous.

7. Intense and sudden, as a sharp pain.

   During labor, pregnant women will experience sharp contractions.

8. (colloquial) Illegal or dishonest, as a sharp practice.

   Michael had a number of sharp ventures on the side that he kept off the books.

9. Exact, precise, accurate; keen.

   You'll need sharp aim to make that shot.

10. Offensive, critical, or acrimonious, as sharp criticism.

    When the two rivals met, first there were sharp words, and then a fight broke out.

11. (colloquial) Stylish or attractive.

    You look so sharp in that tuxedo!

12. Observant; alert; acute.

    Keep a sharp watch on the prisoners. I don't want them to escape!

• (able to cut easily): keen, razor, razor-sharp
• (intelligent): brainy, bright, intelligent, keen, smart, witty
• (able to pierce easily): pointed
• (having an intense and acrid flavour): acrid, pungent
• (sudden and intense): abrupt, acute, stabbing
• (illegal, dishonest): dishonest, dodgy, illegal, illicit, underhand
• (accurate): accurate, exact, keen, precise
• (critical): acrimonious, bitter, cutting, harsh, hostile, nasty
• (stylish, attractive): chic, elegant, smart, stylish
• (observant): acute, alert, keen, observant, sharp-eyed

• (able to cut easily): blunt, dull
• (intelligent): dim, dim-witted, slow, slow-witted, thick
• (able to pierce easily): blunt
• (higher than usual by one semitone): flat
• (music: higher in pitch than required): flat
• (having an intense and acrid flavour): bland, insipid, tasteless
• (sudden and intense): dull
• (illegal, dishonest): above-board, honest, legit, legitimate, reputable
• (accurate): inaccurate, imprecise
• (critical): complimentary, flattering, friendly, kind, nice
• (stylish, attractive): inelegant, scruffy, shabby
• (observant): unobservant

Definition from Wiktionary Content avaible with GNU Free Documentation License

Earn cryptocurrency with banner ads

---

2007-2021 © wordbyletter.com

---