sharp

1
(as) sharp as a razor
very sharp
Make sure the baby doesn’t touch the knife. It’s a sharp as a razor.
Submitted by:
Nguyen Phuong Thuy from Viet Nam on 07/10/2018
Open Dictionary - October2018
2
(as) sharp as a razor
very intelligent and quick-witted
Mentally he’s still sharp as a razor.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 15/10/2018
Open Dictionary - October2018

sharp

1
(as) sharp as a razor
very sharp
Make sure the baby doesn’t touch the knife. It’s a sharp as a razor.
Submitted by:
Nguyen Phuong Thuy from Viet Nam on 07/10/2018
Open Dictionary - October2018
2
(as) sharp as a razor
very intelligent and quick-witted
Mentally he’s still sharp as a razor.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 15/10/2018
Open Dictionary - October2018

sharp

adjective

UK /ʃɑː(r)p/

Word Forms

adjective	sharp
comparative	sharper
superlative	sharpest

1
a sharp object has an edge that can cut or an end that is pointed
Cut the melon in half using a sharp knife.
The cage should have no sharp edges that might cause injury.
These scissors aren’t very sharp.
sharp teeth/claws
a sharp pencil
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe tools and parts of tools
barbed
double-edged
dull
2
a sharp change is sudden and very big
a sharp rise/increase:
Shops are reporting a sharp rise in sales of organic produce.
a sharp decline/drop/fall:
This month’s figures show a sharp drop in unemployment.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe changes
all/other things being equal
away
beyond/out of (all) recognition
1. 2a
  a sharp bend changes direction suddenly
  As we approached a sharp bend in the road, the bus slowed down.
  Synonyms and related words
  Describing roads, paths and areas of land
  arterial
  fast
  impassable
2. 2b
  a sharp pain is sudden and severe
  I felt a sharp pain in my foot.
  Synonyms and related words
  Physically painful and describing pain
  achy
  acute
  agonising
3. 2c
  a sharp feeling is sudden and strong
  Lindsey felt a sharp pang of guilt.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words used to describe emotions
  acutely
  affective
  basic
4. 2d
  a sharp breath is taken suddenly, often because you are surprised
  There was a sharp intake of breath when the prizewinners were announced.
  Synonyms and related words
  Describing or relating to breathing
  breathless
  bronchial
  chesty
5. 2e
  a sharp sound is sudden and loud
  a sharp crack of gunfire
  a sharp cry of fear
  Synonyms and related words
  Describing loud and noisy sounds
  loud
  noisy
  shrill
3
intelligent and quick to notice something or react to something
Some of these kids are pretty sharp when it comes to maths.
He has a sharp wit and a wicked sense of humour.
keep a sharp eye/lookout on something:
The Agency keeps a sharp eye on sales of arms abroad.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe intelligent or wise people
genius
intelligent
wise
4
clear and seen in a lot of detail
The new high-definition TV offers razor-sharp pictures and digital sound.
Synonyms and related words
Clear to the senses
obvious
apparent
show up
5
a sharp comment, voice, or expression shows that someone is unfriendly or annoyed
My father shot her a sharp look but said nothing.
Sharp words were exchanged.
The deal has come under sharp criticism from the opposition parties.
Synonyms and related words
Feeling angry or annoyed
angry
annoyed
upset
Synonyms and related words
Unfriendly
unfriendly
cold
hostile
6
clearly recognized as different
The warm weather was in sharp contrast to last year’s cold temperatures.
Synonyms and related words
Different and differently
conflicting
different
various
7
a food that is sharp has a strong and bitter flavour
sharp cheddar cheese
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe specific tastes and flavours
acid
acidic
aged
8
informalfashionable and impressive
a sharp dresser
a sharp suit
Synonyms and related words
Modern and fashionable and up-to-date
modern
contemporary
advanced
9
a sharp wind or frost is very cold
Synonyms and related words
Frost, icy weather and freezing
frost
black ice
icicle
Synonyms and related words
Describing and measuring the wind
the Beaufort scale
biting
cutting
10
informaldishonest and good at tricking people
a sharp operator
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe dishonest people and behaviour
clever
dubious
corrupt
11
musicused for showing that a musical note should be played or sung a semitone higher than usual
Chopin’s Nocturne in C sharp minor
Synonyms and related words
Instructions and annotations in music
adagio
allegro
andante
1. 11a
  slightly higher than the musical note that should be played or sung
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe music or musical instruments
  acoustic
  atonal
  bass
12
have sharp elbows
to be ready and willing to fight for what you want
Customers with sharp elbows pushed others out of the way to grab bargains.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 30/09/2019
Open Dictionary - September2019

phrases

be at the sharp end of something

sharp

adjective

US /ʃɑrp/

Word Forms

adjective	sharp
comparative	sharper
superlative	sharpest

1
a sharp object has an edge that can cut or an end that is pointed
Cut the melon in half using a sharp knife.
The cage should have no sharp edges that might cause injury.
a sharp pencil
sharp teeth/claws
These scissors aren’t very sharp.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe tools and parts of tools
barbed
double-edged
dull
2
a sharp change is sudden and very big
a sharp rise/increase:
Supermarkets are reporting a sharp rise in the sale of organic produce.
a sharp decline/drop/fall:
This month’s figures show a sharp drop in unemployment.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe changes
all/other things being equal
away
beyond/out of (all) recognition
1. 2a
  a sharp bend changes direction suddenly
  We approached a sharp bend in the road and the bus slowed down.
  Synonyms and related words
  Describing roads, paths and areas of land
  arterial
  fast
  feeder
2. 2b
  a sharp pain is sudden and severe
  I felt a sharp pain in my foot.
  Synonyms and related words
  Physically painful and describing pain
  achy
  acute
  agonising
3. 2c
  a sharp feeling is sudden and strong
  Lindsey felt a sharp pang of guilt.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words used to describe emotions
  acutely
  affective
  basic
4. 2d
  a sharp breath is taken suddenly, often because you are surprised
  There was a sharp intake of breath when the prizewinners were announced.
  Synonyms and related words
  Describing or relating to breathing
  breathless
  bronchial
  chesty
5. 2e
  a sharp sound is sudden and loud
  a sharp crack of gunfire
  a sharp cry of fear
  Synonyms and related words
  Describing loud and noisy sounds
  loud
  noisy
  shrill
3
intelligent and quick to notice something or react to something
Some of these kids are pretty sharp when it comes to math.
He has a sharp wit and a wicked sense of humor.
keep a sharp eye/lookout on something:
The Agency keeps a sharp eye on arm sales abroad.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe intelligent or wise people
genius
intelligent
wise
4
clear and seen in a lot of detail
The new high-definition TV offers razor-sharp pictures and digital sound.
Synonyms and related words
Clear to the senses
pin-sharp
obvious
apparent
5
a sharp comment, voice, or expression shows that someone is unfriendly or annoyed
My father shot her a sharp look but said nothing.
Sharp words were exchanged.
The deal has come under sharp criticism from the investment community.
Synonyms and related words
Feeling angry or annoyed
angry
annoyed
upset
Synonyms and related words
Unfriendly
unfriendly
cold
hostile
6
clearly recognized as different
The warm weather was in sharp contrast to last year’s cold temperatures.
Synonyms and related words
Different and differently
conflicting
different
various
7
informalfashionable and impressive
a sharp dresser
a sharp suit
Synonyms and related words
Modern and fashionable and up-to-date
modern
contemporary
advanced
8
a food that is sharp has a strong and bitter flavor
sharp cheddar cheese
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe specific tastes and flavors
acid
acidic
aged
9
a sharp wind or frost is very cold
Synonyms and related words
Frost, icy weather and freezing
frost
black ice
icicle
Synonyms and related words
Describing and measuring the wind
the Beaufort scale
biting
cutting
10
informaldishonest and good at tricking people
a sharp operator
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe dishonest people and behavior
dishonest
fraudulent
unscrupulous
11
musicused for showing that a musical note should be played or sung a half step higher than usual
Chopin’s Nocturne in C sharp minor
Synonyms and related words
Instructions and annotations in music
adagio
allegro
andante
1. 11a
  slightly higher than the musical note that should be played or sung
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe music or musical instruments
  acoustic
  atonal
  bass
12
have sharp elbows
to be ready and willing to fight for what you want
Customers with sharp elbows pushed others out of the way to grab bargains.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 30/09/2019
Open Dictionary - September2019

sharp

adverb

UK /ʃɑː(r)p/

Word Forms

comparative	sharper
superlative	sharpest

1
at a particular time exactly
We’re leaving at 5 o’clock sharp.
Synonyms and related words
In or on time
punctual
promptly
sharp
2
Britishin a way that changes direction suddenly
Turn sharp left after the bridge.
Synonyms and related words
Describing movement away and changes of direction
away
backward
outwards
3
musicsinging or playing musical notes that are slightly higher than they should be
Synonyms and related words
Describing or relating to notes in the musical scale
chromatic
diatonic
flat

sharp

adverb

US /ʃɑrp/

Word Forms

comparative	sharper
superlative	sharpest

1
at a particular time exactly
We’re leaving at 5 o’clock sharp.
Synonyms and related words
In or on time
punctual
promptly
sharp
2
Britishin a way that changes direction suddenly
Turn sharp left after the bridge.
Synonyms and related words
Describing movement away and changes of direction
away
backward
around
3
musicsinging or playing musical notes that are slightly higher than they should be
Synonyms and related words
Describing or relating to notes in the musical scale
chromatic
diatonic
flat

sharp

noun countable music

UK /ʃɑː(r)p/

Word Forms

singular	sharp
plural	sharps

1
a musical note that is played or sung a semitone higher than usual
Synonyms and related words
Notes in the musical scale
A
b
bass
1. 1a
  the symbol # for a sharp note
  Synonyms and related words
  Instructions and annotations in music
  adagio
  allegro
  andante

sharp

noun countable music

US /ʃɑrp/

Word Forms

singular	sharp
plural	sharps

1
a musical note that is played or sung a half step higher than usual
Synonyms and related words
Notes in the musical scale
A
b
bass
1. 1a
  the symbol # used for showing a sharp note
  Synonyms and related words
  Instructions and annotations in music
  adagio
  allegro
  andante

sharp

(as) sharp as a razor

(as) sharp as a razor

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(as) sharp as a razor

(as) sharp as a razor

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