sharp

¹sharp

adj \ˈshärp\

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

: keen in spirit or action: as a : full of activity or energy : brisk <sharp blows> b : capable of acting or reacting strongly; especially : caustic

4

: 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>

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

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

8

: stylish, dressy

— sharp·ly adverb

— sharp·ness noun

Examples of SHARP

1. a sharp drop in temperature
2. He took a sharp left turn.
3. a sharp curve in the road
4. Her cheerful mood stands in sharp contrast to her dreary surroundings.

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

Related Words: clawlike, daggerlike, knifelike; jabbing, jagged, lacerating, piercing, scratching, stabbing; pointed, pointy, spiky (also spikey)

Near Antonyms: rounded, smooth; soft; even, flat, level, slick

see all synonyms and antonyms

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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