adj · adv · name · noun · verb · 66 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
SSBRecorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
General-American:/ʃɑɹp/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Australian, New-Zealand:/ʃɐːp/
Scotland:/ʃaɾp/
rhymes with -ɑː(ɹ)p
CMU ARPABET:SH AA1 R P
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Terminating in a point or edge, especially one that can cut or pierce easily; not dull, obtuse, or rounded.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
I keep my knives sharp so that they don't slip unexpectedly while carving.
Ernest made the pencil too sharp and accidentally stabbed himself with it.
a face with sharp features
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Intelligent.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: colloquial
Examples
My nephew is a sharp lad; he can count to 100 in six languages, and he's only five years old.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Raised by one semitone (denoted by the symbol ⟨♯⟩ after the name of the note).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
Higher in pitch than required.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
Examples
The orchestra's third violin several times was sharp about an eighth of a tone.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adj
Meaning 5
Having a strong acrid or acidic taste.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Milly couldn't stand sharp cheeses when she was pregnant, because they made her nauseated.
This grapefruit is especially sharp.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
adj
Meaning 6
Sudden, abrupt, intense, rapid.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
A pregnant woman during labor normally experiences a number of sharp contractions.
The man turned and made a sharp movement towards the door.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
adj
Meaning 7
Illegal or dishonest.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: colloquial
Examples
Michael had a number of sharp ventures that he kept off the books.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
adj
Meaning 8
Keenly or unduly attentive to one's own interests; shrewd, verging on dishonest.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: colloquial
Examples
a sharp dealer, a sharp customer, sharp practice
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
adj
Meaning 9
Exact, precise, accurate; keen.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
You'll need sharp aim to make that shot.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
adj
Meaning 10
Offensive, critical, or acrimonious; stern or harsh.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
sharp criticism
When the two rivals met, first there were sharp words, and then a fight broke out.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
11
adj
Meaning 11
Stylish, smart or attractive.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: colloquial
Examples
You look so sharp in that tuxedo!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
12
adj
Meaning 12
Observant; alert; acute.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Keep a sharp watch on the prisoners. I don't want them to escape!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
13
adj
Meaning 13
Quick and alert.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Jones, the centre forward, made a sharp start to the game.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
14
adj
Meaning 14
Strongly distinguishing or differentiating; acute.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
a sharp contrast, a sharp distinction
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
15
adj
Meaning 15
Forming a small or tight angle; especially, forming an angle of less than ninety degrees.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Drive down Main for three quarters of a mile, then make a sharp right turn onto Pine.
a sharp turn or curve
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
16
adj
Meaning 16
Steep; precipitous; abrupt.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
a sharp ascent or descent
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
17
adj
Meaning 17
Said of as extreme a value as possible.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: mathematics, sciences
Examples
Sure, any planar graph can be five-colored. But that result is not sharp: in fact, any planar graph can be four-colored. That is sharp: the same can't be said for any lower number.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
18
adj
Meaning 18
Tactical; risky.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: board-games, chess, games
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
19
adj
Meaning 19
Piercing; keen; severe; painful.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
a sharp pain; the sharp and frosty winter air
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
20
adj
Meaning 20
Eager or keen in pursuit; impatient for gratification.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
a sharp appetite
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
21
adj
Meaning 21
Fierce; ardent; fiery; violent; impetuous.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
22
adj
Meaning 22
Composed of hard, angular grains; gritty.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
23
adj
Meaning 23
Uttered in a whisper, or with the breath alone; aspirated; unvoiced.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
24
adj
Meaning 24
Hungry.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
25
adv
Meaning 25
In a sharp manner: a less usual alternative to sharply in certain senses.
To a point or edge.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
26
adv
Meaning 26
In a sharp manner: a less usual alternative to sharply in certain senses.
Piercingly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
27
adv
Meaning 27
In a sharp manner: a less usual alternative to sharply in certain senses.
Eagerly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
28
adv
Meaning 28
In a sharp manner: a less usual alternative to sharply in certain senses.
So as to make a sharp, or tight, angle.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
South of the city the river turns sharp to the east.
sharp left, sharp right
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
29
adv
Meaning 29
Exactly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
I'll see you at twelve o'clock sharp.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
30
adv
Meaning 30
In a higher pitch than is correct or desirable.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
Examples
I didn't enjoy the concert much because the soprano sang sharp on all the high notes.
1867, Dutton Cook, Hobson's Choice, Chapter 8, “Music Hath Charms”, p. 72 https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Hobson_s_Choice/hwhhEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Matilda+Milner+frequently+sang+sharp%22&pg=PA72&printsec=frontcover Whereas Matilda Milner frequently sang sharp, in spite of the efforts of Miss Brown, who played the accompaniment, to give her the right note and keep her in tune.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
31
name
Meaning 31
A surname.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
32
name
Meaning 32
An unincorporated community in Ozark County, Missouri, United States.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
33
noun
Meaning 33
The symbol ⟨♯⟩, placed after the name of a note in the key signature or before a note on the staff to indicate that the note is to be played one chromatic semitone higher.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
Examples
The pitch pipe sounded out a perfect F♯ (F sharp).
Transposition frequently is harder to read because of all the sharps and flats on the staff.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
34
noun
Meaning 34
A note that is played one chromatic semitone higher than usual; denoted by the name of the note that is followed by the symbol ⟨♯⟩.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
35
noun
Meaning 35
A note that is sharp in a particular key.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
Examples
The piece was difficult to read after it had been transposed, since in the new key many notes were sharps.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
36
noun
Meaning 36
The scale having a particular sharp note as its tonic.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
Examples
Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata is written in C♯ minor (C sharp minor).
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
37
noun
Meaning 37
Something that is sharp.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: plural-normally
Examples
Place sharps in the specially marked red container for safe disposal.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
38
noun
Meaning 38
Something that is sharp.
A hypodermic syringe.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: plural-normally
Topics: medicine, sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
39
noun
Meaning 39
Something that is sharp.
A scalpel or other edged instrument used in surgery.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated, plural-normally
Topics: medicine, sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
40
noun
Meaning 40
Something that is sharp.
A sharp object; any item pointed enough to injure human skin.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: acuate, acute, needlelike
Antonyms: none provided
64
adverb
Meaning 64
changing suddenly in direction and degree
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the road twists sharply after the light
turn sharp left here
the visor was acutely peaked
her shoes had acutely pointed toes
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: sharply, acutely
Antonyms: none provided
65
noun
Meaning 65
a long thin sewing needle with a sharp point
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: sewing needle
66
noun
Meaning 66
a musical notation indicating one half step higher than the note named
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: musical notation
Narrower terms: double sharp
History
Etymology
From Middle English scharp, from Old English sċearp, from Proto-West Germanic *skarp, from Proto-Germanic *skarpaz, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kerb-, from *(s)ker- (“to cut”). Cognate with West Frisian skerp, Low German scherp, scharp, schaarp, Dutch scherp, German scharf, Danish skarp. Compare Irish cearb (“keen; cutting”), Latin acerbus (“tart, bitter”), Tocharian B kärpye (“rough”), Latvian skârbs (“sharp, rough”), Russian щерба (ščerba, “notch”), Polish szczerba (“gap, dent, jag, chip, nick, notch”), Albanian harb (“rudeness”). More at shear.
* As an English, Scottish and occasionally Irish (translated from géar) surname, from the adjective sharp. * As a German surname, Americanized from scharf (“sharp”), same meaning as above.
Across languages
Translations
579 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Acehnese:
tajam
— able to cut easily
Aklanon:
talum
— able to cut easily
Northern Altai:
ӧдӱг
(ödüg)
— able to cut easily
Northern Altai:
керсиг
(kersig)
— able to cut easily
Southern Altai:
ӧткӱр
(ötkür)
— able to cut easily
Southern Altai:
курч
(kurč)
— able to cut easily
Southern Altai:
јидӱ
(ǰidü)
— able to cut easily
Arabic:
حَادّ
(ḥādd)
— able to cut easily
Armenian:
սուր
(sur)
— able to cut easily
Aromanian:
tãljos
— able to cut easily
Assamese:
ধাৰ
(dhar)
— able to cut easily
Assamese:
চোকা
(süka)
— able to cut easily
Asturian:
arrefiláu
— able to cut easily
Asturian:
afiláu
— able to cut easily
Asturian:
picón
— able to cut easily
Asturian:
puntiáu
— able to cut easily
Asturian:
puntíu
— able to cut easily
Asturian:
apolizáu
— able to cut easily
Azerbaijani:
iti
— able to cut easily
Bashkir:
үткер
(ütker)
— able to cut easily
Basque:
zorrotz
— able to cut easily
Belarusian:
во́стры
(vóstry)
— able to cut easily
Bengali:
ধারালো
(dharalō)
— able to cut easily
Bau Bidayuh:
biroja'
— able to cut easily
Central Bikol:
matarom
— able to cut easily
Bulgarian:
о́стър
(óstǎr)
— able to cut easily
Burmese:
ချွန်
(hkywan)
— able to cut easily
Burmese:
ချွန်ထက်
(hkywanhtak)
— able to cut easily
Catalan:
esmolat
— able to cut easily
Catalan:
agut
— able to cut easily
Chechen:
ира
(ira)
— able to cut easily
Chinese Mandarin:
銳利 /锐利
(ruìlì)
— able to cut easily
Chinese Mandarin:
尖銳 /尖锐
(jiānruì)
— able to cut easily
Czech:
ostrý
— able to cut easily
Danish:
skarp
— able to cut easily
Danish:
spids
— able to cut easily
Dutch:
scherp
— able to cut easily
Erzya:
пшти
(pšti)
— able to cut easily
Esperanto:
akra
— able to cut easily
Estonian:
terav
— able to cut easily
Even:
эмэр
(əmər)
— able to cut easily
Evenki:
эмэр
(əmər)
— able to cut easily
Faroese:
hvassur
— able to cut easily
Finnish:
terävä
— able to cut easily
French:
affilé
— able to cut easily
French:
coupant
— able to cut easily
French:
affuté
— able to cut easily
French:
tranchant
— able to cut easily
French:
acéré
— able to cut easily
French:
effilé
— able to cut easily
French:
aigu
— able to cut easily
French:
aiguisé
— able to cut easily
French:
pointu
— able to cut easily
Friulian:
učât
— able to cut easily
Friulian:
spuntît
— able to cut easily
Friulian:
spiçât
— able to cut easily
Georgian:
მახვილი
(maxvili)
— able to cut easily
German:
scharf
— able to cut easily
Bavarian German:
scharf
— able to cut easily
Greek:
κοφτερός
(kofterós)
— able to cut easily
Ancient Greek:
ὀξύς
(oxús)
— able to cut easily
Hebrew:
חַד
(ḥad)
— able to cut easily
Hebrew:
שָׁנוּן
(shanún)
— able to cut easily
Higaonon:
magalang
— able to cut easily
Hindi:
तीक्ष्ण
(tīkṣṇa)
— able to cut easily
White Hmong:
ntse
— able to cut easily
Hungarian:
éles
— able to cut easily
Icelandic:
hvass
— able to cut easily
Ido:
akuta
— able to cut easily
Ilocano:
natadem
— able to cut easily
Indonesian:
tajam
— able to cut easily
Ingush:
ира
(ira)
— able to cut easily
Iranun:
matarem
— able to cut easily
Irish:
géar
— able to cut easily
Irish:
aichear
— able to cut easily
Irish:
faobhrach
— able to cut easily
Italian:
affilato
— able to cut easily
Italian:
aguzzo
— able to cut easily
Ivatan:
madanutuk
— able to cut easily
Japanese:
鋭い
(surudoi)
— able to cut easily
Japanese:
鋭利な
(eiri na)
— able to cut easily
Japanese:
犀利な
(sairi na)
— able to cut easily
Javanese:
landhep
— able to cut easily
Old Javanese:
tajĕm
— able to cut easily
Kabuverdianu:
afiadu
— able to cut easily
Kabuverdianu:
afióde
— able to cut easily
Kapampangan:
mataram
— able to cut easily
Kashubian:
òstri
— able to cut easily
Khmer:
មុត
(mut)
— able to cut easily
Korean:
날카로운
(nalkaroun)
— able to cut easily
Krio:
shap
— able to cut easily
Central Kurdish:
تیژ
(tîj)
— able to cut easily
Northern Kurdish:
tûj
— able to cut easily
Kyrgyz:
курч
(kurc)
— able to cut easily
Kyrgyz:
кескин
(keskin)
— able to cut easily
Ladino:
agudo
— able to cut easily
Ladino:
aguzado
— able to cut easily
Latgalian:
oss
— able to cut easily
Latin:
ācer
— able to cut easily
Latin:
acūtus
— able to cut easily
Latvian:
ass
— able to cut easily
Latvian:
asa
— able to cut easily
Lithuanian:
aštrus
— able to cut easily
Lombard:
guzz
— able to cut easily
Lombard:
güss
— able to cut easily
Macedonian:
остар
(ostar)
— able to cut easily
Maguindanao:
magarang
— able to cut easily
Malay:
tajam
— able to cut easily
Manchu:
ᡩᠠᠴᡠᠩᡤᠠ
(dacungga)
— able to cut easily
Western Bukidnon Manobo:
garang
— able to cut easily
Mansaka:
tarum
— able to cut easily
Māori:
koi
— able to cut easily
Māori:
kikoha
— able to cut easily
Māori:
ratarata
— able to cut easily
Māori:
pīrata
— able to cut easily
Maranao:
magarang
— able to cut easily
Moksha:
оржа
(orža)
— able to cut easily
Mongolian:
богино
(bogino)
— able to cut easily
Mongolian:
хурц
(xurc)
— able to cut easily
Classical Mongolian:
ᠬᠤᠷᠴᠠ
(qurča)
— able to cut easily
Navajo:
deení
— able to cut easily
Norwegian:
skarp
— able to cut easily
Occitan:
agusat
— able to cut easily
Occitan:
agut
— able to cut easily
Old English:
scearp
— able to cut easily
Oscan:
𐌀𐌊𐌓𐌉
(akri)
— able to cut easily
Ossetian:
цыргъ
(cyrǧ)
— able to cut easily
Persian:
تیز
(tiz)
— able to cut easily
Plautdietsch:
schoap
— able to cut easily
Polish:
ostry
— able to cut easily
Portuguese:
afiado
— able to cut easily
Portuguese:
aguçado
— able to cut easily
Portuguese:
agudo
— able to cut easily
Rapa Nui:
ka'i
— able to cut easily
Romanian:
ascuțit
— able to cut easily
Russian:
о́стрый
(óstryj)
— able to cut easily
Sanskrit:
तीक्ष्ण
(tīkṣṇa)
— able to cut easily
Sanskrit:
शित
(śita)
— able to cut easily
Sanskrit:
निशित
(niśita)
— able to cut easily
Scottish Gaelic:
geur
— able to cut easily
Scottish Gaelic:
biorach
— able to cut easily
Scottish Gaelic:
searbh
— able to cut easily
Serbo-Croatian:
о̀шта̄р
— able to cut easily
Serbo-Croatian:
òštār
— able to cut easily
Slovak:
ostrý
— able to cut easily
Slovene:
oster
— able to cut easily
Lower Sorbian:
wótšy
— able to cut easily
Upper Sorbian:
wótry
— able to cut easily
Spanish:
agudo
— able to cut easily
Spanish:
afilado
— able to cut easily
Spanish:
filoso
— able to cut easily
Spanish:
puntiagudo
— able to cut easily
Spanish:
punzocortante
— able to cut easily
Spanish:
cortopunzante
— able to cut easily
Sranan Tongo:
srapu
— able to cut easily
Sundanese:
seukeut
— able to cut easily
Swedish:
skarp
— able to cut easily
Swedish:
vass
— able to cut easily
Tagalog:
matalim
— able to cut easily
Talysh:
tij
— able to cut easily
Tamil:
கூரான
(kūrāṉa)
— able to cut easily
Tat:
tij
— able to cut easily
Telugu:
పదునైన
(padunaina)
— able to cut easily
Tetum:
kroat
— able to cut easily
Thai:
คม
(kom)
— able to cut easily
Turkish:
keskin
— able to cut easily
Old Anatolian Turkish:
ایتی
(iti)
— able to cut easily
Ottoman Turkish:
كسكین
(keskin)
— able to cut easily
Ottoman Turkish:
ایتی
(iti)
— able to cut easily
Ukrainian:
го́стрий
(hóstryj)
— able to cut easily