sharp

1 of 4

adjective

1
: adapted to cutting or piercing: such 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: such as
a
: full of activity or energy : brisk
sharp blows
b
: capable of acting or reacting strongly
especially : caustic
4
: severe, harsh: such 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: such 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
sharply adverb
sharpness noun

sharp

2 of 4

adverb

1
: in a sharp manner
2
: exactly
1:15 sharp

sharp

3 of 4

noun

plural sharps
: one that is sharp: such 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
e
: a medical instrument (such as a scalpel, lancet, or syringe needle) that is sharp or may produce sharp pieces by shattering
usually plural
It is no longer legal to dispose of sharps in the regular trash, Health Director Jeanne M. Galloway said in announcing the new collection station.Angela Carbone

sharp

4 of 4

verb

sharped; sharping; sharps

transitive verb

: to raise (a musical tone) in pitch
especially : to raise in pitch by a half step

intransitive verb

: to sing or play above the proper pitch
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of sharp in a Sentence

Adjective a sharp drop in temperature He took a sharp left turn. a sharp curve in the road Her cheerful mood stands in sharp contrast to her dreary surroundings. Adverb be there at four o'clock sharp Noun the computer sharp that the rest of the staff turns to whenever their PCs act up
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
These early moments of flickering possibility are conjured well, and a sharp contrast is established between Thomas’ heedless self-belief and the shrewd pragmatism of his brother, the town’s mayor. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 Homeownership rates in New Albany were in sharp decline, falling almost 5 percentage points over the past 20 years, the study showed. The Courier-Journal, 18 Mar. 2024 Another way to keep up with those sports skills sharp during the hot weather months is to gather the kids for a little bit of pigskin—water balloon style! Christin Perry, Parents, 17 Mar. 2024 Mass layoffs beginning in the late 20th century precipitated a dramatic decline in Saginaw’s population and economy, accompanied by a sharp rise in political turmoil within the city and throughout the region around it. Joey Cappelletti, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 This board’s rubber material is antimicrobial and easy on knives, keeping them sharp and preventing damage. Rachael Hogg, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2024 Sweeney’s saccharine look struck a sharp contrast with the hooded figures looming just behind her. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 In my ears, the symphony’s teeth only got sharper as the week wore on and the orchestra forged ahead — though the Philharmonie space did lend particular sparkle and peculiar shine to its timbral variety show. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 The Taco de Pollo, a chicken taco, is topped with a heavy ladle of cilantro-lime crema, pico de gallo and sharp cotija crumbles. Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024
Adverb
Dressed sharp in a suit with a baseball hat, Stranger performs his duets with the phenomenal Dunia Best, backed by Eastern Standard Time. Heather Augustyn, Spin, 10 Oct. 2023 The interplay of forms linear, zigzagged and curved (including decorative finials), smooth and sharp edged, in Dawn’s Wedding Chapel II can keep eye and mind occupied for quite a while. Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 6 Sep. 2023 The 911's steering is as sharp edged as the flat-six, with immediate on-center action and a rear end that's more playful at the limit. Dave Vanderwerp, Car and Driver, 5 July 2023 In 2021, prior to BTS temporarily splitting off into individual sectors while some members pursue solo projects and others complete their mandatory military service, Jung Kook spoke to Rolling Stone about keeping his skillset sharp across the board. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2023 The 27-year-old didn’t come out sharp, allowing three hits, including an RBI single to Royce Lewis, in a 27-pitch first inning. Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2023 Davin Cosby, a sharp-shooting guard that enrolled early to watch the Tide’s postseason run from the bench, will also be eligible. Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 6 Apr. 2023 The concept has a sharp-looking interior, with a sporty steering wheel shape, a prominent center console, and dual screens serving as a digital gauge cluster and a large central screen. Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 15 Mar. 2023 Carry your cat in style in this sharp-looking pet carrier from the travel experts at Away. Lois Alter Mark, Forbes, 10 Nov. 2022
Noun
But a reminder — the sharps were on the Eagles last year. Jason Abbruzzese, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2024 The public seems to overwhelmingly think that Mahomes will win today, but the market remains steadfast that the Niners are a rightful favorite. 11d ago / 1:14 PM PST Matthew Berry, NBC Sports The sharps — including Jay — are all on the 49ers. Jason Abbruzzese, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2024 Maybe that is why five times more moneyline bets on K.C. to win had been placed into Thursday (via BetMGM), although most final bets by the sharps are not yet made. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2024 The event is free and anonymous; liquids, needles or sharps are not accepted, only pills or patches. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2023 More:Michigan health care systems ease mask rules The Dearborn, Taylor, and Sterling Heights Medical Park locations will accept prescribed and over-the-counter pills, medical sharps, needles, and empty syringes in puncture-proof containers, stated the release. Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press, 15 Apr. 2023 The black keys represent sharps and flats. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2023 Is Love, an extra-aged sharp, cheddar in which all proceeds are donated to help Southern Oregonians in need. oregonlive, 8 Nov. 2022 The Ghibli’s chassis is tuned for fun, with handling that's sports-car sharp balanced with a refined enough ride to satisfy luxury buyers who might otherwise go for an Audi A6 or a Mercedes-Benz E-class. Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 7 Jan. 2023
Verb
That included everything from off-center parts at Simone Rocha to sharp, contrasting textures at KNWLS. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 21 Sep. 2023 President Barack Obama agreed to sharp spending curbs that only recently expired. Matthew Brown, BostonGlobe.com, 9 May 2023 That could require Republicans to identify even steeper reductions, perhaps totaling $16 trillion, in a move that could expose the party to sharp political attacks. Tony Romm, Jeff Stein and Marianna Sotomayor, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Mar. 2023 Investors are reassessing their outlook for economic growth amid these massive policy risks, leading to sharp down and up movements in stock markets. Christian Weller, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2023 The mood of the night was high glam, from flowing gowns to sharp tailoring. Essence Fashion Editors, Essence, 7 Nov. 2022 Additionally, a period of rapid growth is the time to bring in experts to sharp shoot any growth barriers. Kelly O'Neil, Forbes, 7 July 2022 Torres-Rosario still gets laughs, thanks to sharp comic timing in her accented line delivery, but those laughs come in appreciation for her character’s sincerity. Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 15 May 2021 Tuukka Rask, sharp down the stretch after recovering from a late-season back strain, will be making his 94th playoff appearance. BostonGlobe.com, 15 May 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sharp.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1662, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of sharp was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sharp

Cite this Entry

“Sharp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sharp. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sharp

1 of 4 adjective
1
a
: having a thin keen edge or fine point
a sharp knife
b
: briskly cold : nipping
sharp biting wind
2
a
: alert in understanding : quick-witted
a sharp student
b
: having very good ability to see or hear
you have sharp eyes
c
: keen in attention to one's own interest sometimes to the point of being dishonest
a sharp customer
3
a
: full of activity or energy : brisk
keep up a sharp pace
b
: eager
a sharp appetite
4
a
: curt, angry
a sharp reply
b
: causing intense mental or physical distress
a sharp pain
sharp criticism
5
: having a strong odor or flavor
sharp cheese
6
a
: ending in a point or edge
sharp features
sharp mountain peaks
b
: involving an abrupt change
a sharp turn
a sharp drop in the temperature
c
: clear in outline or detail : distinct
a sharp image
d
: set forth with clarity and distinctness
sharp contrast
7
a
: higher by a half step than the pitch of the note indicated by the letter name
b
: higher than the true pitch
8
sharply adverb
sharpness noun

sharp

2 of 4 adverb
1
: in a sharp manner : sharply
sang sharp
2
: at an exact time
arrive by four o'clock sharp

sharp

3 of 4 noun
1
: a musical note or tone one half step higher than the note or tone indicated by the letter name
also : a character ♯ on a line or space of the staff indicating such a note or tone
2
: a needle with a small eye for sewing by hand

sharp

4 of 4 verb
1
: to raise in pitch especially by a half step
2
: to sing or play above the true pitch

Medical Definition

sharp

noun
: a medical instrument (as a scalpel, lancet, or syringe needle) that is sharp or may produce sharp pieces by shattering
As I passed the hemostat, the needle clipped my glove and my skin … I then disposed of the sharp and tried to force bleeding.The Journal of the American Medical Association
usually used in plural
It is no longer legal to dispose of sharps in the regular trash, Health Director Jeanne M. Galloway said in announcing the new collection station.Angela Carbone, The Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican

Biographical Definition

Sharp

biographical name

Phillip Allen 1944–     American biologist

More from Merriam-Webster on sharp

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