First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
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
1
: adapted to cutting or piercing: as a : having a thin keen edge or fine point b : briskly or bitingly cold : nipping <a sharp wind>
2
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>
3
4
5
: 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>
6
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>
7
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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
Related to SHARP
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>.
2sharp
adverb
: above the correct musical pitch
Full Definition of SHARP
1
: in a sharp manner
2
: exactly <1:15 sharp>
See sharp defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SHARP
before 12th century
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
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
Sharp
biographical name \ˈshärp\
Definition of SHARP
Phillip Allen 1944– Am. biol.
SHARP[1] Defined for Kids
1sharp
adjective \ˈshärp\
sharp·ersharp·est
Definition of SHARP for Kids
1
: having a thin edge or fine point (as for cutting or piercing) <a sharp knife>
2
: brisk and cold <a sharp wind>
3
: very smart <a sharp student>
4
: attentive 1 <He kept a sharp watch.>
5
: having very good ability to see or hear <You have sharp eyes.>
7
: showing anger or disapproval <a sharp reply>
8
: causing distress : severe <a sharp pain> <sharp criticism>
9
: strongly affecting the senses <The workshop … had the sharp, warm scent of wood shavings and sawdust. — Lloyd Alexander, Time Cat>
10
: ending in a point or edge <a sharp mountain peak>
11
: involving a sudden and quick change <a sharp drop in the temperature> <a sharp turn>
12
: clear in outline or detail : distinct <a sharp image>
13
: raised in pitch by a half step <F sharp>
14
: higher than true pitch <Her singing was slightly sharp.>
2sharp
adverb
Definition of SHARP for Kids
1
: at an exact time <four o'clock sharp>
2
: at a higher than true pitch <He sang sharp.>
3sharp
noun
Definition of SHARP for Kids
1
: a musical note or tone that is a half step higher than the note named
2
: 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>
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