sharpness
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
how well a tool like a knife or scissors can cut through things.
the cutting ability of an edge or the keenness of a blade.
Simple“He tested the sharpness of the kitchen knife by slicing a tomato.”
In context“The chef insisted on maintaining the sharpness of his carbon-steel blades through daily honing on a fine-grit whetstone.”
SynonymskeennessedgeAntonymsdullnessbluntness - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
how clear and easy to see the details in a picture or photo are.
the degree of distinctness or focus in an image or sensory perception.
Simple“The sharpness of the photo was amazing even when I zoomed in.”
In context“Digital post-processing can enhance the perceived sharpness of a photograph, though it cannot recover details lost to poor lens focus.”
SynonymsAntonymsblurrinessfuzziness - 03 C1 Advanced
the ability to think quickly and understand difficult ideas.
acuteness of mind or the ability to perceive and understand subtle distinctions.
Simple“Even at ninety years old, her mental sharpness was impressive.”
In context“The cross-examination required a high degree of mental sharpness to identify the inconsistencies in the witness's testimony.”
SynonymsAntonymsstupidityslowness - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
a strong, sour, or stinging taste or smell.
the quality of being pungent, acidic, or biting to the senses of taste or smell.
Simple“The sharpness of the lemon juice balanced the sweet cake.”
In context“Aged cheddar is prized for a characteristic sharpness that develops during the long fermentation process.”
SynonymsAntonymsmildnessblandness - 05 C1 Advanced
a quality in someone's voice or words that sounds angry or unkind.
the quality of being harsh, biting, or severe in speech or manner.
Simple“She was surprised by the sharpness in his voice when he answered.”
In context“The critic's review was noted for its unnecessary sharpness, attacking the author's character rather than the work itself.”
SynonymsAntonyms
From Middle English sharpnesse, scharpnesse, from Old English sċearpnes (“sharpness”), equivalent to sharp + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.