# sharpened

/ˈʃɑɹpənd/ (US) · /ʃˈɑːpənd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sharpened
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

having a thin, fine edge or point that can cut or pierce things easily. It describes something that has been made better at cutting or more focused.

For teachers: having been made acute or keen; possessing a fine edge or point. Often used as a participial adjective to describe physical tools or abstract qualities like focus or skills.

## Examples

- He used a sharpened pencil to draw the fine lines.
- The chef prepared the sushi using a freshly sharpened knife to ensure clean cuts.
- After years of rigorous practice, her sharpened instincts allowed her to detect subtle shifts in the market long before her competitors noticed any change.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a participial adjective before a noun or after a linking verb like 'remain' or 'stay'.

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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.