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¹sharp

adjective \ˈshärp\

: having a thin edge that is able to cut things or a fine point that is able to make a hole in things

: sudden and quick

: involving a sudden change in direction

Full Definition of SHARP

: adapted to cutting or piercing: as

a : having a thin keen edge or fine point

b : briskly or bitingly cold : nipping <a sharp wind>

a : keen in intellect : quick-witted

b : keen in perception : acute <sharp sight>

c : keen in attention : vigilant <keep a sharp lookout>

d : keen in attention to one's own interest sometimes to the point of being unethical <a sharp trader>; also : corrupt, unethical <sharp business practices>

: keen in spirit or action: as

a : full of activity or energy : brisk <sharp blows>

b : capable of acting or reacting strongly; especially : caustic

: severe, harsh: as

a : inclined to or marked by irritability or anger <a sharp temper>

b : causing intense mental or physical distress <a sharp pain>

c : cutting in language or import <a sharp rebuke>

: affecting the senses or sense organs intensely: as

a (1) : having a strong odor or flavor <sharp cheese> (2) : acrid

b : having a strong piercing sound

c : having the effect of or involving a sudden brilliant display of light <a sharp flash>

a : terminating in a point or edge <sharp features>

b : involving an abrupt or marked change especially in direction <a sharp turn>

c : clear in outline or detail : distinct <a sharp image>

d : set forth with clarity and distinctness <sharp contrast>

a of a tone : raised a half step in pitch

b : higher than the proper pitch

c : major, augmented —used of an interval in music

: stylish, dressy

— sharp·ly adverb

— sharp·ness noun

See sharp defined for English-language learners

See sharp defined for kids

Origin of SHARP

Middle English, from Old English scearp; akin to Old High German scarf sharp and perhaps to Old English scrapian to scrape — more at scrape

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SHARP

Synonyms: cutting, edged, edgy, ground, honed, keen, sharpened, stropped, trenchant, whetted

Antonyms: blunt, blunted, dull, dulled, obtuse

Synonym Discussion of SHARP

sharp, keen, acute mean having or showing alert competence and clear understanding. sharp implies quick perception, clever resourcefulness, or sometimes questionable trickiness <sharp enough to spot a confidence game>. keen suggests quickness, enthusiasm, and a penetrating mind <a keen observer of the political scene>. acute implies a power to penetrate and may suggest subtlety and sharpness of discrimination <an acute sense of style>.

Rhymes with SHARP

Arp, carp, harp, scarp, tarp, Tharp

²sharp

adverb

: above the correct musical pitch

Full Definition of SHARP

: in a sharp manner

: exactly <1:15 sharp>

See sharp defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of SHARP

before 12th century

Related to SHARP

Synonyms: due, full, just, precisely, right, exactly, smack-dab, squarely

³sharp

noun

: a musical note that is one semitone higher than a specified note; also : a written symbol ♯ that is placed before a note to show that it should be played a semitone higher

Full Definition of SHARP

: one that is sharp: as

a : a sharp edge or point

b (1) : a musical note or tone one half step higher than a note or tone named (2) : a character ♯ on a line or space of the musical staff indicating a pitch a half step higher than the degree would indicate without it

c : a needle with a small eye for sewing by hand

d : a real or self-proclaimed expert; also : sharper

See sharp defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of SHARP

14th century

Related to SHARP

Synonyms: ace, adept, artist, authority, cognoscente, connoisseur, crackerjack (also crackajack), dab [chiefly British], dab hand [chiefly British], fiend, geek, guru, hand, hotshot, maestro, master, maven (also mavin), meister, past master, proficient, scholar, shark, expert, virtuoso, whiz, wizard

Antonyms: amateur, inexpert, nonexpert

⁴sharp

verb

Definition of SHARP

transitive verb

: to raise (as a musical tone) in pitch; especially : to raise in pitch by a half step

intransitive verb

: to sing or play above the proper pitch

First Known Use of SHARP

1662

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, presto, refrain, riff, segue

Sharp

biographical name \ˈshärp\

Definition of SHARP

Phillip Allen 1944– Am. biol.

SHARPNESS Defined for Kids

¹sharp

adjective \ˈshärp\

sharp·ersharp·est

Definition of SHARP for Kids

: having a thin edge or fine point (as for cutting or piercing) <a sharp knife>

: brisk and cold <a sharp wind>

: very smart <a sharp student>

: attentive 1 <He kept a sharp watch.>

: having very good ability to see or hear <You have sharp eyes.>

: energetic, brisk <We kept up a sharp pace.>

: showing anger or disapproval <a sharp reply>

: causing distress : severe <a sharp pain> <sharp criticism>

: strongly affecting the senses <The workshop … had the sharp, warm scent of wood shavings and sawdust. — Lloyd Alexander, Time Cat>

: ending in a point or edge <a sharp mountain peak>

: involving a sudden and quick change <a sharp drop in the temperature> <a sharp turn>

: clear in outline or detail : distinct <a sharp image>

: raised in pitch by a half step <F sharp>

: higher than true pitch <Her singing was slightly sharp.>

: stylish <a sharp outfit>

— sharp·ly adverb

— sharp·ness noun

²sharp

adverb

Definition of SHARP for Kids

: at an exact time <four o'clock sharp>

: at a higher than true pitch <He sang sharp.>

³sharp

noun

Definition of SHARP for Kids

: a musical note or tone that is a half step higher than the note named

: a sign ♯ that tells that a note is to be made higher by a half step

Medical Dictionary

sharp

noun \ˈshärp\

Medical Definition of SHARP

: a medical instrument (as a scalpel, hypodermic needle, or breakable culture dish) that is sharp or may produce sharp pieces by shattering <stuck by a sharp left in the workplace>—usually used in plural <a container for sharps>