[ UK /ʃˈɑːp/ ]
[ US /ˈʃɑɹp/ ]
ADJECTIVE
  1. marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
    a smart businessman
    he was too shrewd to go along with them on a road that could lead only to their overthrow
    an astute tenant always reads the small print in a lease
  2. (of a musical note) raised in pitch by one chromatic semitone
    C sharp
  3. having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
    as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang
    frequent penetrative observations
    penetrating insight
    an acute observer of politics and politicians
    incisive comments
    icy knifelike reasoning
  4. (of something seen or heard) clearly defined
    the crisp snap of dry leaves underfoot
    a sharp photographic image
    the sharp crack of a twig
  5. ending in a sharp point
  6. extremely steep
    a sharp drop
    the precipitous hills of Chinese paintings
    an abrupt canyon
    the precipitous rapids of the upper river
  7. having or made by a thin edge or sharp point; suitable for cutting or piercing
    a sharp knife
    a pencil with a sharp point
  8. having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
    a shrill whistle
    a shrill gaiety
  9. harsh
    a sharp-worded exchange
    a tart remark
    sharp criticism
  10. quick and forceful
    a sharp blow
  11. very sudden and in great amount or degree
    a sharp drop in the stock market
  12. keenly and painfully felt; as if caused by a sharp edge or point
    sharp winds
    a sharp pain
ADVERB
  1. changing suddenly in direction and degree
    the road twists sharply after the light
    her shoes had acutely pointed toes
    the visor was acutely peaked
    turn sharp left here
NOUN
  1. a musical notation indicating one half step higher than the note named
  2. a long thin sewing needle with a sharp point
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How To Use sharp In A Sentence

  • Some spring from immediately below the earth, and may more properly be termed suckers; the others grow on the visible part of the stem or caudex, often close to the oldest leaves; these should be cut off with a sharp knife, in early summer, and if they have a little of the parent bark attached to them all the better. Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers Describing the Most Desirable Plants, for Borders, Rockeries, and Shrubberies.
  • There are some sharp lines and a couple of catchy songs but there's also a lot of turgid stuff. Times, Sunday Times
  • To be back and be sharp takes a bit longer. The Sun
  • The scene near the Chennai Kaliappa Hospital, on Tuesday was supremely ironical, and drew sharp reactions from tree lovers who were passing by.
  • The results were disastrous, plunging the country into deep depression, with high unemployment, sharply falling living standards and serious political unrest.
  • Sharp may have been the victim of a gangland revenge killing.
  • This knife needs sharpening.
  • The trails should provide a skiing flow so there aren't too many long uphills or sharp turns at the bottom of steep downhills.
  • She tugged sharply on his sleeve to get his attention, then gestured to the tin. THE DEVIL'S DOOR
  • The lower mandible, which is powerful, and is indented at its point to receive the hook, has a very sharp edge, which, with that of the upper mandible, constitutes a pair of formidable shears. Scientific American Supplement, No. 829, November 21, 1891
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