sharp
Looking for the meaning of sharp? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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The symbol ♯, placed after the name of a note in the key signature or before a note on the staff to indicate that the note is to be played a semitone higher.
“The pitch pipe sounded out a perfect F♯ (F sharp).”
A note that is played a semitone higher than usual; denoted by the name of the note that is followed by the symbol ♯.
A note that is sharp in a particular key.
“The piece was difficult to read after it had been transposed, since in the new key many notes were sharps.”
The scale having a particular sharp note as its tonic.
“Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" is written in C♯ minor (C sharp minor.)”
(usually in the plural) Something that is sharp.
“Place sharps in the specially marked red container for safe disposal.”
A dishonest person; a cheater.
“The casino kept in the break room a set of pictures of known sharps for the bouncers to see.”
Part of a stream where the water runs very rapidly.
A sewing needle with a very slender point, more pointed than a blunt or a between.
(in the plural) Fine particles of husk mixed with coarse particle of flour of cereals; middlings.
An expert.
A sharpie (member of Australian gangs of the 1960s and 1970s).
To raise the pitch of a note half a step making a natural note a sharp.
“That new musician must be tone deaf: he sharped half the notes of the song!”
To play tricks in bargaining; to act the sharper.
To sharpen.
Terminating in a point or edge, especially one that can cut easily; not obtuse or rounded.
“A face with sharp features”
Intelligent.
“My nephew is a sharp lad; he can count to 100 in six languages, and he's only five years old.”
Higher than usual by one semitone (denoted by the symbol ♯ after the name of the note).
Higher in pitch than required.
“The orchestra's third violin several times was sharp about an eighth of a tone.”
Having an intense, acrid flavour.
“Milly couldn't stand sharp cheeses when she was pregnant, because they made her nauseated.”
Sudden and intense.
“A pregnant woman during labor normally experiences a number of sharp contractions.”
Illegal or dishonest.
“Michael had a number of sharp ventures that he kept off the books.”
Keenly or unduly attentive to one's own interests; shrewd.
“a sharp dealer; a sharp customer”
Exact, precise, accurate; keen.
“You'll need sharp aim to make that shot.”
Offensive, critical, or acrimonious.
“When the two rivals met, first there were sharp words, and then a fight broke out.”
Stylish or attractive.
“You look so sharp in that tuxedo!”
Observant; alert; acute.
“Keep a sharp watch on the prisoners. I don't want them to escape!”
Forming a small angle; especially, forming an angle of less than ninety degrees.
“Drive down Main for three quarters of a mile, then make a sharp right turn onto Pine.”
Steep; precipitous; abrupt.
“a sharp ascent or descent; a sharp turn or curve”
(of a statement) Said of as extreme a value as possible.
“Sure, any planar graph can be five-colored. But that result is not sharp: in fact, any planar graph can be four-colored. That is sharp: the same can't be said for any lower number.”
Tactical; risky.
Piercing; keen; severe; painful.
“a sharp pain; the sharp and frosty winter air”
Eager or keen in pursuit; impatient for gratification.
“a sharp appetite”
Fierce; ardent; fiery; violent; impetuous.
Composed of hard, angular grains; gritty.
Uttered in a whisper, or with the breath alone; aspirated; unvoiced.
Hungry.
To a point or edge; piercingly; eagerly; sharply.
(notcomp) Exactly.
“I'll see you at twelve o'clock sharp.”
In a higher pitch than is correct or desirable.
“I didn't enjoy the concert much because the tenor kept going sharp on the high notes.”
Understanding "sharp"
The word **"sharp"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/ʃɑːp/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"sharp"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "sharp" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "sharp" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "sharp" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /ʃɑːp/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "sharp" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "sharp" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "sharp" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "sharp". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/ʃɑːp/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "sharp" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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