26984 words

sharp

28 definitions • 59 examples
1
having a thin edge or point that can cut something or make a hole in something:

Examples:

a knife with a sharp edge/blade.
The point of this pencil isn't sharp enough.
2
producing or describing a quick, strong pain that makes you feel like you have been cut:

Examples:

She nudged me with a sharp elbow, to tell me to be quiet.
sharp pain I have this sharp pain in my chest, doctor.
3
used to describe a part of someone's face that is very pointed:

Examples:

a thin face with a sharp nose
4
If someone is sharp or makes a sharp statement, they speak or act in a severe and angry way that can hurt other people:

Examples:

sharp with He was a little sharp with me when I asked him to help.
sharp criticism The proposals came in for some sharp criticism.
5

Examples:

a sharp drop in temperature
a sharp decline in the standard of living
sharp rise/increase a sharp rise/increase in the number of cases of the disease
sharp bend a sharp bend in the road
sharp blow to suffer a sharp blow to the head
6
sour in taste:

Examples:

sharp taste Lemons have a sharp taste.
This cheese is rather sharp.
7
clear; easy to see or understand:

Examples:

This TV gives a very sharp picture.
in sharp contrast The mountains stood in sharp contrast to the blue sky.
sharp distinction There is a sharp distinction between crimes which involve injury to people and those that don't.
sharp reminder It was a sharp reminder of how dangerous the world can be.
8
intelligent or quick to notice things:

Examples:

Birdwatchers need to have sharp ears and eyes.
She has a sharp eye for a bargain.
Our new director is very sharp.
sharp mind/intellect She manages to combine a sharp mind/intellect with a sympathetic manner.
sharp wit He was a man of sharp wit/sharp-witted man who always spoke his mind.
The play was full of sharp one-liners.
as sharp as a tack US He may be old but he's still as sharp as a tack.
9

Examples:

Tony is a very sharp dresser.
sharp-suited a sharp-suited business executive
10

Examples:

sharp left/right After the church, turn sharp left/right.
11
exactly at the stated time:

Examples:

The performance will start at 7.30 sharp.
12

Examples:

The E string on my guitar is a bit sharp.
This concerto is in the key of C sharp (= the set of musical notes a semitone higher than the one based on the note C).
to sing sharp
13
(a symbol for) a note that is a semitone higher than the stated note
14
a small piece of equipment, such as a needle, that has a sharp point or edge:

Examples:

The safe disposal of sharps is very important.
Medical providers were required to convert to safer sharps by April 16.
15
having a thin edge or point that can cut something:

Examples:

a sharp blade/knife
She put a sharp point on the pencil.
16

Examples:

a sharp drop in temperature
a sharp increase in prices
There’s a sharp curve in the road up ahead.
17

Examples:

As he leaned over, he felt a sudden, sharp pain in his lower back.
This sauce is pretty sharp (= It has a strong taste).
18
intended to be strong enough to be felt as painful:

Examples:

The candidate delivered a sharp attack on her opponent’s voting record.
Leonard has a sharp tongue (= often speaks in a severe and critical way).
19
easy to see or understand; clear:

Examples:

High-definition television produces a very sharp picture.
Sales this month were up, in sharp contrast to the dismal sales of the last few months.
20
able to understand or see quickly and easily:

Examples:

She has a really sharp mind and a great sense of humor.
21

Examples:

a sharp dresser
22
higher in pitch than a particular note or the correct note
23
exactly at the stated time:

Examples:

The tour bus will leave at 8:30 a.m. sharp.
24
a mark in written music showing that a note should be played a half step higher
25
a sharp change is sudden and very noticeable:

Examples:

a sharp rise/increase in sth Analysts expect a sharp rise in core inflation to 2.7%.
a sharp drop/decline/fall in sth There has been a sharp decline in the standard of living.
26

Examples:

The two are very sharp businessmen who have seen their property business move from handling small-scale office developments to schemes totaling €800 million.
She is known in the media as a sharp and incisive thinker.
27
sharp language is severe and angry:

Examples:

The CEO's proposals came in for some sharp criticism.
be sharp with sb He was sharp with me when I asked him to help.
Gomez's business practices came under sharp attack at the Senate hearing.
28
in a way that is clearly recognized as different to something else:

Examples:

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