# sharp /ˈʃɑɹp/ (US) · /ʃˈɑːp/ (UK) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sharp Updated: 2026-08-15 ## Senses ### 1. able to cut adjective · CEFR A1 having a thin edge or point that can cut or pierce things easily. For teachers: terminating in a fine edge or point capable of cutting or piercing. - Be careful with that sharp knife while you are chopping the vegetables. - The chef insisted on using only the most sharp blades to ensure the delicate herbs were sliced without being bruised. ### 2. intelligent or observant adjective · CEFR B1 quick to notice things and very smart. For teachers: demonstrating mental acuity, alertness, or quickness of perception. - She is very sharp and noticed the mistake in the contract immediately. - The detective's sharp eyes caught a minor inconsistency in the witness's statement that others had overlooked. ### 3. sudden or intense adjective · CEFR B1 happening suddenly or felt very strongly, like a pain or a turn in the road. For teachers: characterised by a sudden change in direction or a high degree of physical or emotional intensity. - The car made a sharp turn at the corner to avoid the cat. - Patients often report a sharp pain in the lower abdomen during the initial stages of the infection. ### 4. stylish adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal looking very fashionable and neat in your clothes. For teachers: neat, stylish, or sophisticated in appearance. - You look very sharp in that new suit you bought for the wedding. - He arrived at the gala looking sharp in a tailored tuxedo that commanded immediate attention. ### 5. strong taste or smell adjective · CEFR B2 having a strong, sour, or acidic taste that bites your tongue. For teachers: having a pungent, acrid, or acidic sensory quality. - This cheddar cheese has a very sharp flavour that goes well with apples. - The vinaigrette was a bit too sharp, overpowering the subtle flavours of the roasted beetroot. ### 6. harsh or critical adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal using words that are unkind or show you are angry. For teachers: harsh, biting, or severe in tone or manner. - He gave her a sharp rebuke for arriving late to the rehearsal. - The critic's sharp tongue was well-known in the industry, often leaving young actors in tears after a premiere. ### 7. music pitch adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical higher in pitch by one semitone. For teachers: raised in pitch by a chromatic semitone; also used to describe a note that is slightly higher than the correct pitch. - The singer was a little bit sharp during the high notes of the song. - The conductor stopped the orchestra because the woodwinds were sounding slightly sharp against the piano. ### 8. exactly at a time adverb · CEFR B1 exactly at a specific time. For teachers: precisely at a designated time; typically follows the time expression. - The meeting will start at nine o'clock sharp, so please do not be late. - The train departs at 14:00 sharp, and the doors close two minutes prior to departure. Usage: Always placed immediately after the time it modifies. ### 9. musical symbol noun · CEFR B2 · Technical the symbol (♯) that tells a musician to play a note higher. For teachers: a musical notation (♯) indicating that a note is to be raised by one semitone. - There are three sharps in the key signature of A major. - The student struggled to remember which notes required a sharp in the complex jazz arrangement. ### 10. to raise pitch verb · CEFR C2 · Technical to make a musical note higher in pitch. For teachers: to raise the pitch of a note, typically by a semitone. - You need to sharp that F to make it sound correct in this key. - The composer decided to sharp the leading tone to create more harmonic tension before the resolution. ## Examples - Be careful because that kitchen knife is very sharp. - The photographer adjusted the lens to ensure the image was sharp and every detail was visible. - The company saw a sharp increase in profits after the new marketing campaign launched, surprising even the most optimistic financial analysts. --- From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.