sharp
sharp — noun
- sharpsingular
- sharpsplural
1. in written music, a note marked with the ♯ symbol that is played a half-step abo
in written music, a note marked with the ♯ symbol that is played a half-step above its natural pitch, or that symbol itself.
This piece has three sharps, so the pianist plays F, C, and G a half-step higher.
key signature with multiple sharps
Sumin practiced the B sharp section until every note sounded clear.
noun: a specific sharp note by name
The composer added a sharp symbol before the last note to create a brighter ending.
Yara learned to recognize A sharp by ear during her first violin lesson.
- C sharp / F sharp / G sharp
- key signature with three sharps
- play a sharp
- sharp symbol
- half-tone
refers to the interval, not the symbol or the note itself
- flat
a note one half-tone lower, or the symbol ♭
Usage Note
Countable noun. A sharp can be referred to by the note name it modifies, e.g. F sharp, C sharp.
Common Mistakes
2. any tool used in medicine that has a very fine point or thin blade for cutting t
any tool used in medicine that has a very fine point or thin blade for cutting through or entering skin, including items like injection needles and surgical blades.
The nurse placed all used needles and other sharps into the special red disposal box.
collocation: sharps disposal / sharps container
Marco reminded the trainee that sharps must be handled with gloves and discarded after one use.
Nia received training on how to collect used sharps in the hospital ward.
collocation: collect used sharps
Every examination room now has a wall-mounted sharps container for safety.
- sharps container
- sharps disposal
- used sharps
- handle sharps
Usage Note
Almost always used in the plural form 'sharps' as a general category. Singular use is rare and usually appears in technical or legal texts.
Common Mistakes
sharp — adjective
- sharppositive
- sharpercomparative
- sharpestsuperlative
1. describes something like a knife, blade, or needle whose very thin cutting side
describes something like a knife, blade, or needle whose very thin cutting side or tip makes it possible to slice through materials or push into them.
The chef tested the sharp knife by slicing through a ripe tomato.
sharp knife: fine-edged blade
Vinícius used a pair of sharp scissors to cut the thick cardboard box.
The needle was so sharp that it went through the fabric with almost no effort.
sharp + tool noun for cutting or piercing
A sharp blade can be dangerous if it is not stored in a safe place.
- sharp knife
- sharp blade
- sharp scissors
- sharp needle
- sharp edge
- sharp point
Usage Note
The opposite of sharp in this sense is dull or blunt. Commonly describes knives, scissors, blades, needles, razors, and tools.
Common Mistakes
2. describes a change, turn, or movement that happens very quickly and strongly, of
describes a change, turn, or movement that happens very quickly and strongly, often in an unexpected way.
The road made a sharp turn to the left just before the bridge.
sharp turn: sudden change in direction
There was a sharp increase in the price of milk last month.
sharp increase / sharp drop: sudden large change
Élise felt a sharp change in temperature when she stepped out of the airport.
The bus came to a sharp stop when the dog ran into the street.
sharp stop: sudden halt
Doctors warned that a sharp rise in blood pressure can be dangerous.
- sharp turn
- sharp rise
- sharp drop
- sharp increase
- sharp change
- sharp stop
- sharp bend
Usage Note
Frequently pairs with nouns indicating changes or movements: turn, bend, rise, drop, fall, increase, decrease, stop, change. The opposite (gradual) is expressed by gradual or gentle (for slopes and turns).
Common Mistakes
3. describes a physical sensation that is sudden, intense, and piercing, often feel
describes a physical sensation that is sudden, intense, and piercing, often feeling as if the body is being cut or stabbed.
Esme felt a sharp pain in her lower back after lifting the heavy box.
sharp pain in [body part]: sudden intense pain
A sharp sting shot through Dario's finger when the cat scratched him.
The doctor asked whether the pain was a dull ache or a sharp, stabbing feeling.
sharp stabbing vs dull ache: pain quality contrast
Patients often describe a sharp pain like a needle going into the skin.
- sharp pain
- sharp sting
- sharp ache
- sharp sensation
- sharp twinge
Usage Note
Commonly pairs with nouns like pain, ache, sting, sensation, or feeling, and with body parts introduced by 'in' (sharp pain in the chest / back / shoulder). Distinguished from sense 1 by referring to the sensation itself, not the object causing it.
Common Mistakes
4. describes words, remarks, or a way of speaking that is severe, critical, or angr
describes words, remarks, or a way of speaking that is severe, critical, or angry, and likely to upset the person being addressed.
The manager's sharp reply made the intern feel embarrassed in front of the team.
sharp reply: critical or angry response
Ife regretted her sharp tone when she saw the hurt look on her sister's face.
The newspaper printed a sharp criticism of the government's new policy.
Christopher tried to remain calm despite his father's sharp words about his career choice.
sharp words / sharp criticism: severe and hurtful speech
- sharp words
- sharp reply
- sharp tone
- sharp criticism
- sharp remark
- sharp tongue
Usage Note
Commonly pairs with words, remark, reply, tone, criticism, comment, tongue (sharp tongue). Usually appears before the noun. Distinguished from sense 2 (SUDDEN) by referring to the emotional harshness of speech, not the speed of a change.
Common Mistakes
5. able to notice small details, understand things quickly, and react with intellig
able to notice small details, understand things quickly, and react with intelligence.
Lakshmi gave a sharp answer that impressed everyone in the room.
sharp answer: quick and intelligent reply
A sharp detective notices clues that other people walk right past.
sharp + person noun for quick perception
Bao has incredibly sharp hearing and can catch whispers from across the room.
That journalist asks very sharp questions that catch politicians off guard.
- sharp mind
- sharp eyes
- sharp hearing
- sharp question
- sharp observation
- sharp wit
- clever
broader in meaning, can include creativity; sharp leans more toward speed of perception
- quick-witted
emphasises fast, clever reactions in conversation or unexpected situations
- astute
more formal; suggests good judgment and the ability to assess people or situations accurately
Usage Note
Describes a person or their mind, senses, or mental abilities. Frequently pairs with nouns like mind, eye, ear, hearing, observation, question, wit.
Common Mistakes
6. describes parts of a person's face, such as the nose, chin, or cheekbones, that
describes parts of a person's face, such as the nose, chin, or cheekbones, that are thin, pointed, or angular rather than round or soft.
Tamar had a sharp nose and high cheekbones that gave her face a striking look.
sharp + facial feature (nose / chin / cheekbones)
The old photograph showed a woman with sharp features and narrow eyes.
His sharp chin made his profile easy to recognise in a crowd.
The sculptor carved a face with sharp cheekbones and a strong jawline.
sharp cheekbones: angular, prominent bone structure
- sharp nose
- sharp chin
- sharp cheekbones
- sharp features
- sharp jawline
Usage Note
Used exclusively for facial features; does not apply to body parts in general. Frequently pairs with nose, chin, cheekbones, jawline, and features. The opposite meaning is expressed by soft or round.
7. describes a food or drink that has a strong, sour, or tangy flavour, often one t
describes a food or drink that has a strong, sour, or tangy flavour, often one that makes the mouth feel fresh or slightly puckered.
The lemon juice gave the sauce a sharp, refreshing taste.
sharp taste: sour / tangy flavour
Stefan added sharp cheese to the salad for extra flavour.
sharp cheese: strong, tangy cheese
The dressing had a sharp, acidic tang that balanced the sweetness of the fruit.
Jiwoo added a splash of sharp vinegar to the soup and tasted it carefully.
sharp + noun for tangy/sour flavour in a cooking scene
- sharp taste
- sharp cheese
- sharp flavour
- sharp tang
- sharp lemon
Usage Note
Commonly describes cheese (cheddar, parmesan), citrus fruits (lemons, limes), vinegar-based dressings, and certain wines. The opposite in taste is mild.
Common Mistakes
8. If a picture, image, sound, or memory is sharp, you can see, hear, or recall it
If a picture, image, sound, or memory is sharp, you can see, hear, or recall it with very clear and precise detail.
The new television gives a much sharper picture than the old one.
sharp + picture: describing image quality
Wren noticed a sharp contrast between the two photographs.
The teacher's instructions were sharp enough for every child to follow.
sharp instructions: describing clear communication
The focus was not sharp, so the faces in the background looked blurry.
- sharp picture
- sharp image
- sharp contrast
- sharp focus
- sharp memory
- sharp distinction
Usage Note
Often used with nouns related to images (picture, photo, image, contrast, focus) or perception (memory, distinction, difference).
9. having a stylish, modern, and well-groomed appearance that is currently in fashi
having a stylish, modern, and well-groomed appearance that is currently in fashion.
Christopher wore a sharp grey suit to the awards ceremony.
sharp suit / sharp look: well-dressed and stylish
The hotel lobby had a very sharp design with clean lines and modern furniture.
Isabela looked incredibly sharp in her new leather jacket and boots.
The restaurant's sharp new menu attracted a lot of young customers.
sharp + noun for fashionable / modern
- sharp suit
- sharp look
- sharp dresser
- sharp design
- sharp style
Usage Note
Commonly describes clothing, accessories, hairstyles, or the overall appearance of a person or place. Carries a positive, approving tone.
10. making a loud, high-pitched, and often sudden sound that may be unpleasant to he
making a loud, high-pitched, and often sudden sound that may be unpleasant to hear.
Amira covered her ears when she heard the sharp whistle from the factory.
sharp whistle: loud, high-pitched sound
A sharp cry from the baby made everyone turn around.
The fire alarm let out a series of sharp beeps that echoed through the hallway.
The old wooden floorboards made a sharp creak when Wren stepped on them.
sharp + sound noun for sudden, high noise
- sharp cry
- sharp whistle
- sharp sound
- sharp knock
- sharp beep
- sharp crack
- piercing
emphasises that the sound is uncomfortable or painful to hear
- shrill
specifically describes a high, unpleasant sound, often a voice or cry
- high-pitched
describes the frequency of the sound without the negative connotation
Usage Note
Usually appears before the noun (a sharp cry, a sharp whistle). Distinct from sense 13 (MUSIC NOTE) because it describes the general quality of a sound, not a specific pitch error in music.
11. describes cold weather, especially wind or frost, that feels very harsh and seem
describes cold weather, especially wind or frost, that feels very harsh and seems to cut into the skin.
A sharp wind blew through the streets, making everyone hurry indoors.
sharp wind: very cold and biting wind
Théo pulled his scarf tighter to protect his face from the sharp frost.
The sharp cold of the morning made it hard to get out of bed.
sharp cold: intense, biting cold weather
Cyrus could feel the sharp chill in the air as soon as he stepped outside.
- sharp wind
- sharp frost
- sharp cold
- sharp chill
- sharp air
Usage Note
Commonly pairs with wind, frost, cold, chill, and air. Not used for describing rain or snow.
12. skilled at using smart but tricky methods to get what you want, especially in bu
skilled at using smart but tricky methods to get what you want, especially in business or money matters, in a way that other people might consider unfair or dishonest.
Tomás used a sharp legal trick to make his competitor go out of business.
collocation: sharp trick
Femi warned first-time home buyers about the sharp practices of some estate agents.
collocation: sharp practice (common fixed phrase)
A sharp trader talked an elderly couple into selling their house below its true value.
Yuki used a sharp tax method that no accountant at the firm had noticed.
Eitan lost his savings after he trusted a sharp financial advisor with a bad reputation.
collocation: sharp + professional role (financial advisor)
- sharp practice
- sharp customer
- sharp lawyer
- sharp trader
- sharp trick
- sharp methods
- sharp tactics
- sharp dealings
- honest
the opposite in terms of ethical behaviour
- guileless
lacking any cleverness aimed at personal gain; innocent
- straightforward
direct and honest in dealing with others
Grammar Patterns
sharp + noun (practice / customer / lawyer / trader)
sharp + noun (method / trick / tactic)
Usage Note
Often appears in fixed phrases such as 'sharp practice' (dishonest business methods) and 'sharp customer' (someone clever at getting what they want). This sense can be admiring (praising someone's shrewdness) or critical (implying dishonesty), depending on context and the noun it modifies.
Common Mistakes
13. used when a musical note is played or sung at a pitch above what the sheet music
used when a musical note is played or sung at a pitch above what the sheet music shows.
The pianist played a sharp C instead of the natural C written on the score.
sharp + musical note name: pitch a semitone higher
The second violinist sounded slightly sharp during the orchestra performance.
Hiro's flute was in tune, but his duet partner kept going sharp on the high notes.
The choir director told the sopranos that their final chord was sharp.
- play sharp
- sing sharp
- sound sharp
- sharp note
- go sharp
- high
less precise; sharp specifically means above the correct pitch, not just any high note
- flat
below the correct pitch
Usage Note
Also used as a noun to refer to the symbol ♯. The opposite meaning (too low) is expressed by flat.
Common Mistakes
sharp — adverb
1. happening quickly and unexpectedly, often with a change in direction or an immed
happening quickly and unexpectedly, often with a change in direction or an immediate stop
The driver pulled the wheel sharp left to avoid a cyclist who appeared from nowhere.
sharp + direction (left/right/around)
Hyun stopped sharp when his name was called from behind.
stop + sharp (immediately/abruptly)
The path turned sharp right after the bridge, catching many walkers by surprise.
Christopher braked sharp when a dog ran across the road in front of his bike.
braked + sharp (sudden stopping action)
- turn sharp + direction
- stop sharp
- pull sharp
- gradually
describes a slow, step-by-step change instead of a sudden one
Grammar Patterns
verb + sharp + [direction]
verb + sharp
Usage Note
This adverb always follows the verb it modifies and, when indicating direction, comes after the direction word (e.g., 'turn sharp left', NOT 'sharp turn left' or 'sharply turn left' for this sense).
Common Mistakes
2. at an exact time, with no delay before or after, used to emphasise punctuality
at an exact time, with no delay before or after, used to emphasise punctuality
Faisal arrived at eleven o'clock sharp, just as the meeting was about to begin.
at + [time] + sharp
The last train leaves at midnight sharp, so do not be late.
Yara told the babysitter to be home at nine sharp without fail.
sharp following an implied time on the hour
The exam will begin at two o'clock sharp, so students must be in their seats by then.
- at + time + sharp
- roughly
indicates an approximate time instead of an exact one
Grammar Patterns
at + [time] + sharp
Usage Note
Always placed immediately after the time expression it specifies. 'Sharp' is almost always used with 'o'clock' times on the hour, though it occasionally appears with half-hour or quarter-hour times in informal speech.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/1
Sharp (adjective/1) is the most general word for a blade or point that can cut or pierce easily. Keen is more literary and often describes a blade with an exceptionally fine edge (a keen hunting knife); it is less common in everyday speech. Acute is technical or medical when describing edges or angles (an acute angle of 45 degrees), though it is more often used for perception (acute hearing). Honed suggests that the edge has been carefully ground or refined (a honed blade), focusing on the process rather than the result. Razor-sharp is an emphatic, image-rich intensifier used for blades or high-precision cutting tools; it can also extend metaphorically to intelligence. Pointed specifically describes a tapered end rather than a cutting edge (a pointed stick), so it overlaps with sharp only for piercing tools (needles, pins) but not for knives or scissors. In everyday usage, sharp covers all these contexts — kitchen knives, pencils, needles, and surgical tools — while the alternatives add a narrower nuance of literariness, technical precision, or intensity.
Common collocations
Adverbs
- extremely sharp
- very sharp
- remarkably sharp
- unusually sharp
Phrases
- sharp at [time] (e.g. at eight sharp)
- turn / pull sharp [left/right]
- look sharp (be quick; or: look stylish)
- not the sharpest knife / tool in the drawer / box
- the sharp end of [something]
Etymology
Sharp comes from Old English scearp (or scarp), meaning "having a cutting edge." It goes back to a Proto-Germanic root *skarpaz, which also gave rise to Dutch scherp and German scharf. The original sense of a blade or point that can cut is the source of all later figurative meanings: a sharp pain (feels like a cut), sharp words (cut emotionally), a sharp mind (cuts through confusion), a sharp turn (cuts across the expected path), and sharp taste (bitingly sour). The musical sense of a note raised by a semitone dates from the 16th century.
First known use
12th century
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Adverb