# Sharpe

/ˈʃɑɹp/ (US) · CEFR A1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sharpe
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

having a thin edge or point that can cut or make a hole easily. You use it to describe things like knives, needles, or even a quick and clever mind.

For teachers: having a fine edge or point capable of cutting or piercing. Often describes sensory perception or mental acuity in its figurative senses.

## Examples

- Be careful because that kitchen knife is very sharp.
- The photographer adjusted the lens to ensure the focus was sharp enough to see every detail of the leaf.
- A sharp increase in interest rates often leads to a cooling of the housing market as borrowing costs become prohibitive for the average consumer.

## Pitfalls

- Not "a sharply knife" but "a sharp knife" — Learners sometimes confuse the adjective 'sharp' with the adverb 'sharply' when modifying a noun.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used both literally for physical objects and figuratively for intelligence, sounds, or sudden changes.

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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.