SHARP

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sharp mean? 

• SHARP (noun)
  The noun SHARP has 2 senses:

1. a musical notation indicating one half step higher than the note named

2. a long thin sewing needle with a sharp point

  Familiarity information: SHARP used as a noun is rare.

• SHARP (adjective)
  The adjective SHARP has 12 senses:

1. (of something seen or heard) clearly defined

2. ending in a sharp point

3. having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

4. marked by practical hardheaded intelligence

5. harsh

6. having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones

7. extremely steep

8. keenly and painfully felt; as if caused by a sharp edge or point

9. having or made by a thin edge or sharp point; suitable for cutting or piercing

10. (of a musical note) raised in pitch by one chromatic semitone

11. very sudden and in great amount or degree

12. quick and forceful

  Familiarity information: SHARP used as an adjective is familiar.

• SHARP (adverb)
  The adverb SHARP has 1 sense:

1. changing suddenly in direction and degree

  Familiarity information: SHARP used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SHARP (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A musical notation indicating one half step higher than the note named

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("sharp" is a kind of...):

musical notation ((music) notation used by musicians)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sharp"):

double sharp (a musical notation of two sharps in front of a note indicating that it is to be raised by two semitones)

Derivation:

sharp ((of a musical note) raised in pitch by one chromatic semitone)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A long thin sewing needle with a sharp point

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("sharp" is a kind of...):

sewing needle (a needle used in sewing to pull thread through cloth)

Derivation:

sharp (ending in a sharp point)

• SHARP (adjective)

Comparative: sharper   
Superlative: sharpest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

Synonyms:

crisp; sharp

Context example:

the crisp snap of dry leaves underfoot

Similar:

distinct (easy to perceive; especially clearly outlined)

Derivation:

sharpness (the quality of being sharp and clear)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Ending in a sharp point

Synonyms:

acuate; acute; needlelike; sharp

Similar:

pointed (having a point)

Derivation:

sharp (a long thin sewing needle with a sharp point)

sharpness (thinness of edge or fineness of point)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

Synonyms:

acute; discriminating; incisive; keen; knifelike; penetrating; penetrative; piercing; sharp

Context example:

frequent penetrative observations

Similar:

perceptive (having the ability to perceive or understand; keen in discernment)

Derivation:

sharpness (a quick and penetrating intelligence)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Marked by practical hardheaded intelligence

Synonyms:

astute; sharp; shrewd

Context example:

he was too shrewd to go along with them on a road that could lead only to their overthrow

Similar:

smart (showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness)

Derivation:

sharpness (a quick and penetrating intelligence)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Harsh

Synonyms:

sharp; sharp-worded; tart

Context example:

a tart remark

Similar:

unpleasant (offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness)

Derivation:

sharpness (harshness of manner)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones

Synonyms:

sharp; shrill

Context example:

a shrill gaiety

Similar:

high; high-pitched (used of sounds and voices; high in pitch or frequency)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Extremely steep

Synonyms:

abrupt; precipitous; sharp

Context example:

a sharp drop

Similar:

steep (having a sharp inclination)

Sense 8

Meaning:

Keenly and painfully felt; as if caused by a sharp edge or point

Context example:

sharp winds

Similar:

cutting; keen; knifelike; lancinate; lancinating; piercing; stabbing (painful as if caused by a sharp instrument)

salt ((of speech) painful or bitter)

fulgurating (sharp and piercing)

acute; intense (extremely sharp or severe)

Antonym:

dull (not keenly felt)

Derivation:

sharpness (the quality of being keenly and painfully felt)

Sense 9

Meaning:

Having or made by a thin edge or sharp point; suitable for cutting or piercing

Context example:

a pencil with a sharp point

Similar:

penetrating; penetrative (tending to penetrate; having the power of entering or piercing)

sharp-toothed (having sharp teeth)

sharpened (made sharp or sharper)

razor-sharp (as sharp as a razor)

metal-cutting (hard and sharp enough to cut metal)

knifelike (cutting or able to cut as if with a knife)

keen (having a sharp cutting edge or point)

incisive (suitable for cutting or piercing)

fang-like (resembling a fang)

edged (having a cutting edge or especially an edge or edges as specified; often used in combination)

drill-like (resembling a drill)

dagger-like (resembling a dagger)

chisel-like (resembling a chisel)

carnassial ((of a tooth) adapted for shearing flesh)

file-like (resembling a file)

Also:

pointed (having a point)

Attribute:

keenness; sharpness (thinness of edge or fineness of point)

Antonym:

dull (not having a sharp edge or point)

Derivation:

sharpness (thinness of edge or fineness of point)

Sense 10

Meaning:

(of a musical note) raised in pitch by one chromatic semitone

Context example:

C sharp

Domain category:

music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)

Antonym:

flat ((of a musical note) lowered in pitch by one chromatic semitone)

natural ((of a musical note) being neither raised nor lowered by one chromatic semitone)

Derivation:

sharp (a musical notation indicating one half step higher than the note named)

Sense 11

Meaning:

Very sudden and in great amount or degree

Context example:

a sharp drop in the stock market

Similar:

sudden (happening without warning or in a short space of time)

Sense 12

Meaning:

Quick and forceful

Context example:

a sharp blow

Similar:

forceful (characterized by or full of force or strength (often but not necessarily physical))

Derivation:

sharpness (the quality of being keenly and painfully felt)

• SHARP (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Changing suddenly in direction and degree

Synonyms:

acutely; sharp; sharply

Context example:

her shoes had acutely pointed toes

 Context examples 

The captain, on his part, never spoke but when he was spoken to, and then sharp and short and dry, and not a word wasted.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

He returned carrying his jumping-shoes, which are provided, as you are aware, with several sharp spikes.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The widespread use of antibiotics in modern society has led to a sharp rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

(Scientists Discover Antibiotic Mechanism, NIH)

A sharp ring interrupted her, and a minute after Hannah came in with a letter.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

There is nothing clear and sharp and definite about the thought you have expressed.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

If she is half as sharp as her mother, she is saving enough.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

The double track turned sharp off and took the direction of King’s Pyland.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The ends were sharp as needle-points.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

By my look? Dear me, Copperfield, that's sharp practice! What do I mean by my look?

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

This may be the origin of a type of lake on Titan that has sharp boundaries.

(New Models Suggest Titan Lakes Are Explosion Craters, NASA)