| / English Dictionary |
SHARP
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
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)
Sense 2
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)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
Example:
he was too shrewd to go along with them on a road that could lead only to their overthrow
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Similar:
smart (showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness)
Derivation:
sharpness (a quick and penetrating intelligence)
Sense 2
Meaning:
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
Example:
the crisp snap of dry leaves underfoot
Synonyms:
crisp; sharp
Classified under:
Similar:
distinct (easy to perceive; especially clearly outlined)
Derivation:
sharpness (the quality of being sharp and clear)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Having or made by a thin edge or sharp point; suitable for cutting or piercing
Example:
a pencil with a sharp point
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
sharp-toothed (having sharp teeth)
sharpened (made sharp or sharper)
razor-sharp (as sharp as a razor)
penetrating; penetrative (tending to penetrate; having the power of entering or piercing)
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)
file-like (resembling a file)
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)
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 4
Meaning:
Keenly and painfully felt; as if caused by a sharp edge or point
Example:
sharp winds
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
salt ((of speech) painful or bitter)
fulgurating (sharp and piercing)
cutting; keen; knifelike; lancinate; lancinating; piercing; stabbing (painful as if caused by a sharp instrument)
acute; intense (extremely sharp or severe)
Antonym:
dull (not keenly felt)
Derivation:
sharpness (the quality of being keenly and painfully felt)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Quick and forceful
Example:
a sharp blow
Classified under:
Adjectives
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)
Sense 6
Meaning:
Very sudden and in great amount or degree
Example:
a sharp drop in the stock market
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
sudden (happening without warning or in a short space of time)
Sense 7
Meaning:
Extremely steep
Example:
a sharp drop
Synonyms:
abrupt; precipitous; sharp
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
steep (having a sharp inclination)
Sense 8
Meaning:
Having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
Example:
a shrill gaiety
Synonyms:
sharp; shrill
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
high; high-pitched (used of sounds and voices; high in pitch or frequency)
Sense 9
Meaning:
(of a musical note) raised in pitch by one chromatic semitone
Example:
C sharp
Classified under:
Adjectives
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 10
Meaning:
Having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
Example:
frequent penetrative observations
Synonyms:
acute; discriminating; incisive; keen; knifelike; penetrating; penetrative; piercing; sharp
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
perceptive (having the ability to perceive or understand; keen in discernment)
Derivation:
sharpness (a quick and penetrating intelligence)
Sense 11
Meaning:
Harsh
Example:
a tart remark
Synonyms:
sharp; sharp-worded; tart
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
unpleasant (offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness)
Derivation:
sharpness (harshness of manner)
Sense 12
Meaning:
Ending in a sharp point
Synonyms:
acuate; acute; needlelike; sharp
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
pointed (having a point)
Derivation:
sharp (a long thin sewing needle with a sharp point)
sharpness (thinness of edge or fineness of point)
III. (adverb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Changing suddenly in direction and degree
Example:
her shoes had acutely pointed toes
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Context examples:
There was a sharp crack, and we were in a heap upon the ground with coils of rope all over us.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
The child gave a sharp cry, and lay there moaning.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
“You will have little credit from this gentleman, I perceive. Tongues are sharp in Hampshire, sir.”
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Check Yes or No if the adjective applies to your pain; sharp.
(BPI - Sharp, NCI Thesaurus)
Then I heard a sudden sharp intake of her breath, and she sprang into the air with a cry of joy.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Yet his conclusions were as sharp and distinct as those achieved by men.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
Hubble's sharp vision uncovered the blue glow of clumps of young stars.
(Hubble Sees Plunging Galaxy Losing Its Gas, NASA)
Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain.
(Back Pain, NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has captured one of the sharpest, most detailed observations of a comet breaking apart, which occurred 67 million miles from Earth.
(Hubble Takes Close-up Look at Disintegrating Comet, NASA)
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