# sharpness

/ˈʃɑɹpnəs/ (US) · /ʃˈɑːpnəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sharpness
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. cutting ability

noun · CEFR B2

how well a tool like a knife or scissors can cut through things.

For teachers: the cutting ability of an edge or the keenness of a blade.

- He tested the sharpness of the kitchen knife by slicing a tomato.
- The chef insisted on maintaining the sharpness of his carbon-steel blades through daily honing on a fine-grit whetstone.

### 2. visual clarity

noun · CEFR B2

how clear and easy to see the details in a picture or photo are.

For teachers: the degree of distinctness or focus in an image or sensory perception.

- The sharpness of the photo was amazing even when I zoomed in.
- Digital post-processing can enhance the perceived sharpness of a photograph, though it cannot recover details lost to poor lens focus.

### 3. mental quickness

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the ability to think quickly and understand difficult ideas.

For teachers: acuteness of mind or the ability to perceive and understand subtle distinctions.

- Even at ninety years old, her mental sharpness was impressive.
- The cross-examination required a high degree of mental sharpness to identify the inconsistencies in the witness's testimony.

### 4. strong taste or smell

noun · CEFR B2

a strong, sour, or stinging taste or smell.

For teachers: the quality of being pungent, acidic, or biting to the senses of taste or smell.

- The sharpness of the lemon juice balanced the sweet cake.
- Aged cheddar is prized for a characteristic sharpness that develops during the long fermentation process.

### 5. harshness of tone

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a quality in someone's voice or words that sounds angry or unkind.

For teachers: the quality of being harsh, biting, or severe in speech or manner.

- She was surprised by the sharpness in his voice when he answered.
- The critic's review was noted for its unnecessary sharpness, attacking the author's character rather than the work itself.

## Examples

- The chef checked the sharpness of his knife before starting.
- The photographer adjusted the lens focus to improve the sharpness of the foreground details in the portrait.
- While the physical sharpness of the blade was impressive, it was the sharpness of the lawyer's wit that truly dominated the courtroom during the cross-examination.

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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.