sharpen

/ˈʃɑːpən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʃɑːrpən/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈshär-pən/ (ame, mw)

sharpen — verb

  • sharpenpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • sharpenshe / she / it
  • sharpenedpast simple
  • sharpening-ing form

1. to rub or press a tool, blade, or pointed object against a hard surface so that

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to rub or press a tool, blade, or pointed object against a hard surface so that its cutting edge or tip becomes thinner and able to cut or pierce more easily.

例句

Wren spent the morning sharpening all the kitchen knives on a whetstone.

sharpen + noun + on + tool

The scissors were so blunt that Eli had to sharpen them before cutting the fabric.

sharpen + object that became blunt

同義詞
  • hone

    more precise, usually on a fine stone for a very sharp edge

  • whet

    slightly old-fashioned; now used mostly in the phrase 'whet one's appetite'

  • grind

    removes more material; reshaping a blade rather than refining its edge

反義詞
  • blunt

    to make a blade less sharp

文法句型

sharpen + noun phrase

sharpen + on + noun phrase

noun phrase + sharpen

用法筆記

The intransitive form describes how a tool behaves: 'This knife sharpens well.' The transitive form focuses on a person's action: 'She sharpened the knife.'

常見錯誤

❌I sharped the pencil.
✅I sharpened the pencil.
💡'sharp' is an adjective; the verb form is 'sharpen.'
❌He sharpened the knife on the table.' (ambiguous)
✅He sharpened the knife on a whetstone.
💡specify the tool used for sharpening, not just any surface.

2. to make a physical or emotional feeling, sense, or mental ability stronger and m

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to make a physical or emotional feeling, sense, or mental ability stronger and more active — for example, making your appetite bigger, your hearing more sensitive, or your fear more intense.

例句

The long walk through the hills sharpened Hari's appetite for a warm meal.

sharpen + appetite

Years of working in a noisy factory had sharpened Megan's ability to read lips.

sharpen + ability to ...

同義詞
  • heighten

    more formal; often used for emotions and sensations

  • intensify

    stronger; can apply to feelings, colours, or efforts

  • accentuate

    more formal; suggests making something more noticeable

反義詞
  • dull

    to make senses or feelings less sharp

  • blunt

    to reduce the strength of a feeling or response

文法句型

sharpen + noun phrase

noun phrase + sharpens

用法筆記

Common objects include appetite, senses, awareness, instincts, fear, and desire. The intransitive form describes feelings growing stronger on their own, without someone actively causing it.

常見錯誤

❌The walk sharpened my hunger.
✅The walk sharpened my appetite.
💡'appetite' is the natural collocation for food; 'hunger' is more literal and less idiomatic here.
❌I sharpened my hearing by listening carefully.
✅The training sharpened my hearing.
💡native speakers typically use this sense with a situation or experience as subject, not a person as subject.

3. to practise and develop a skill or ability so that it becomes stronger, faster,

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to practise and develop a skill or ability so that it becomes stronger, faster, or more effective — like improving your writing through regular exercises or your game through coaching.

例句

Xiu joined a summer workshop to sharpen her public speaking skills.

sharpen + skill type

Playing against stronger opponents helped João sharpen his chess tactics.

同義詞
  • hone

    very close; 'hone' suggests finer, more precise improvement

  • refine

    suggests making small improvements to reach a higher standard

  • polish

    suggests final improvements to make something excellent

反義詞
  • neglect

    to fail to practise or develop a skill

文法句型

sharpen + noun phrase

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person or an activity (course, practice, workshop). Common objects are skill-based: skills, techniques, abilities, reflexes, tactics, and talents. This sense overlaps with 'hone' in metaphorical use.

常見錯誤

❌I sharpened my English.
✅I sharpened my English skills.
💡'sharpen' typically takes a skill-type noun rather than a language name directly.
❌The class sharpened my knowledge of history.
✅The class sharpened my ability to analyse historical events.
💡'sharpen' works better with an active skill than with stored information.

4. to make an image, idea, argument, or distinction clearer and easier to see or un

4.動詞及物B1
釋義

to make an image, idea, argument, or distinction clearer and easier to see or understand — for example, adjusting a camera lens so the picture stops being blurry, or stating a disagreement more precisely so everyone sees the difference.

例句

The photographer adjusted the lens to sharpen the image of the bird.

sharpen + image / photograph

The debate helped sharpen the differences between the two candidates' policies.

sharpen + difference / distinction

同義詞
  • clarify

    broader; can apply to any confusing situation or statement

  • focus

    common for images and attention; 'sharpen' is more about definition of edges

  • refine

    suggests improving precision or detail

反義詞
  • blur

    to make an image or idea less clear

  • obscure

    to hide or make something difficult to see or understand

文法句型

sharpen + noun phrase

用法筆記

Common objects include image, focus, outline, distinction, difference, argument, and understanding. In photography and image-editing contexts, 'sharpen' is a specific technical action that increases edge contrast.

常見錯誤

❌I sharpened the photo so it looks better.
✅I sharpened the edges of the photo so the details stand out.
💡'sharpen' in imaging is about edge contrast, not general improvement.
❌The teacher sharpened the lesson for us.
✅The teacher's explanation sharpened our understanding of the topic.
💡the object should be the idea or understanding, not the lesson itself.

5. to make a musical note sound higher, typically by one semitone, indicated by a ♯

5.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make a musical note sound higher, typically by one semitone, indicated by a ♯ symbol written before the note in sheet music.

例句

The composer wrote a sharp sign to tell the violinist to sharpen the F.

sharpen + musical note letter

To play in this key, you need to sharpen every B in the melody.

同義詞
  • raise

    general term; 'sharpen' is the precise musical term for raising by a semitone

反義詞
  • flatten

    to lower the pitch of a musical note

文法句型

sharpen + musical note / pitch

用法筆記

This sense is almost exclusively used in music contexts. The opposite is 'flatten' (lower the pitch). In everyday speech, non-musicians rarely use this sense.

常見錯誤

❌Please sharpen that note a bit so it sounds louder.
✅Please sharpen that note so it sounds higher.
💡'sharpen' changes pitch, not volume.
❌The singer sharpened her voice.
✅The singer sharpened the final note of the phrase.
💡the object should be the specific note, not the voice itself.