sharp
1sharp
adjective \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>
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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>
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Examples of SHARP
- 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.
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
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>.
2sharp
adverbDefinition of SHARP
1
: in a sharp manner
2
: exactly <1:15 sharp>
Examples of SHARP
- <be there at four o'clock sharp>
First Known Use of SHARP
before 12th century
3sharp
nounDefinition of SHARP
: one that is sharp: 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
Examples of SHARP
- <the computer sharp that the rest of the staff turns to whenever their PCs act up>
First Known Use of SHARP
14th century
Related to SHARP
- Synonyms
- ace, adept, artist, authority, cognoscente, connoisseur, crackerjack (also crackajack), dab [chiefly British], dab hand [chiefly British], fiend, geek, guru, hand, hotshot, maestro, master, maven (also mavin), meister, past master, proficient, scholar, shark, expert, virtuoso, whiz, wizard
4sharp
verbDefinition of SHARP
transitive verb : to raise (as a musical tone) in pitch; especially : to raise in pitch by a half step
intransitive verb
: to sing or play above the proper pitch
First Known Use of SHARP
1662
Sharp
biographical name \ˈshärp\Definition of SHARP
Phillip Allen 1944– Am. biol.
sharp
noun \ˈshärp\ (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of SHARP
: a medical instrument (as a scalpel, hypodermic needle, or breakable culture dish) that is sharp or may produce sharp pieces by shattering <stuck by a sharp left in the workplace>—usually used in plural <a container for sharps>
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