sharp
♦♦ sharp /ʃ'ɑːrp/ (sharps sharper sharpest)
1 [ADJ]
A sharp point or edge is very thin and can cut through things very easily. A sharp knife, tool, or other object has a point or edge of this kind.
The other end of the twig is sharpened into a sharp point to use as a toothpick...
Using a sharp knife, cut away the pith and peel from both fruits...
≠ blunt
2 [ADJ]
You can describe a shape or an object as sharp if part of it or one end of it comes to a point or forms an angle.
His nose was thin and sharp.
3 [ADJ]
A sharp bend or turn is one that changes direction suddenly.
I was approaching a fairly sharp bend that swept downhill to the left.
= tight
[ADV] ADV adv
Sharp is also an adverb.
Do not cross the bridge but turn sharp left to go down on to the towpath.
● sharply [ADV] ADV after v
Room number nine was at the far end of the corridor where it turned sharply to the right.
4 [ADJ]
If you describe someone as sharp, you are praising them because they are quick to notice, hear, understand, or react to things.
He is very sharp, a quick thinker and swift with repartee...
5 [ADJ]
If someone says something in a sharp way, they say it suddenly and rather firmly or angrily, for example because they are warning or criticizing you.
That ruling had drawn sharp criticism from civil rights groups.
● sharply [ADV] ADV with v, ADV adj
`You've known,' she said sharply, `and you didn't tell me?'
6 [ADJ]
A sharp change, movement, or feeling occurs suddenly, and is great in amount, force, or degree.
There's been a sharp rise in the rate of inflation...
He felt a sharp pain in the abductor muscle in his right thigh.
● sharply [ADV] ADV with v, ADV adj
Unemployment among the over forties has risen sharply in recent years...
7 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A sharp difference, image, or sound is very easy to see, hear, or distinguish.
Many people make a sharp distinction between humans and other animals...
We heard a voice sing out in a clear, sharp tone.
● sharply [ADV] usu ADV with v, also ADV adj
Opinions on this are sharply divided...
8 [ADJ]
A sharp taste or smell is rather strong or bitter, but is often also clear and fresh.
...a colourless, almost odourless liquid with a sharp, sweetish taste...
9 [ADV] n ADV
Sharp is used after stating a particular time to show that something happens at exactly the time stated.
She planned to unlock the store at 8.00 sharp this morning.
= precisely
10 [N-COUNT] usu n N
Sharp is used after a letter representing a musical note to show that the note should be played or sung half a tone higher. Sharp is often represented by the symbol .
A solitary viola plucks a lonely, soft F sharp.
≠ flat
11
see also razor-sharpsharp prac|tice
[N-UNCOUNT]
You can use sharp practice to refer to an action or a way of behaving, especially in business or professional matters, that you think is clever but dishonest.
He accused some solicitors of sharp practice.sharp tongue (sharp tongues)
[N-COUNT]
If you say that someone has a sharp tongue, you are critical of the fact that they say things which are unkind though often clever.
Despite her sharp tongue, she inspires loyalty from her friends.
1 [ADJ]
A sharp point or edge is very thin and can cut through things very easily. A sharp knife, tool, or other object has a point or edge of this kind.
The other end of the twig is sharpened into a sharp point to use as a toothpick...
Using a sharp knife, cut away the pith and peel from both fruits...
≠ blunt
2 [ADJ]
You can describe a shape or an object as sharp if part of it or one end of it comes to a point or forms an angle.
His nose was thin and sharp.
3 [ADJ]
A sharp bend or turn is one that changes direction suddenly.
I was approaching a fairly sharp bend that swept downhill to the left.
= tight
[ADV] ADV adv
Sharp is also an adverb.
Do not cross the bridge but turn sharp left to go down on to the towpath.
● sharply [ADV] ADV after v
Room number nine was at the far end of the corridor where it turned sharply to the right.
4 [ADJ]
If you describe someone as sharp, you are praising them because they are quick to notice, hear, understand, or react to things.
He is very sharp, a quick thinker and swift with repartee...
5 [ADJ]
If someone says something in a sharp way, they say it suddenly and rather firmly or angrily, for example because they are warning or criticizing you.
That ruling had drawn sharp criticism from civil rights groups.
● sharply [ADV] ADV with v, ADV adj
`You've known,' she said sharply, `and you didn't tell me?'
6 [ADJ]
A sharp change, movement, or feeling occurs suddenly, and is great in amount, force, or degree.
There's been a sharp rise in the rate of inflation...
He felt a sharp pain in the abductor muscle in his right thigh.
● sharply [ADV] ADV with v, ADV adj
Unemployment among the over forties has risen sharply in recent years...
7 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A sharp difference, image, or sound is very easy to see, hear, or distinguish.
Many people make a sharp distinction between humans and other animals...
We heard a voice sing out in a clear, sharp tone.
● sharply [ADV] usu ADV with v, also ADV adj
Opinions on this are sharply divided...
8 [ADJ]
A sharp taste or smell is rather strong or bitter, but is often also clear and fresh.
...a colourless, almost odourless liquid with a sharp, sweetish taste...
9 [ADV] n ADV
Sharp is used after stating a particular time to show that something happens at exactly the time stated.
She planned to unlock the store at 8.00 sharp this morning.
= precisely
10 [N-COUNT] usu n N
Sharp is used after a letter representing a musical note to show that the note should be played or sung half a tone higher. Sharp is often represented by the symbol .
A solitary viola plucks a lonely, soft F sharp.
≠ flat
11
see also razor-sharpsharp prac|tice
[N-UNCOUNT]
You can use sharp practice to refer to an action or a way of behaving, especially in business or professional matters, that you think is clever but dishonest.
He accused some solicitors of sharp practice.sharp tongue (sharp tongues)
[N-COUNT]
If you say that someone has a sharp tongue, you are critical of the fact that they say things which are unkind though often clever.
Despite her sharp tongue, she inspires loyalty from her friends.