—sharp /ʃɑːp/ aep /ʃɑːrp/
adjective (ABLE TO CUT)
B1 having a thin edge or point that can cut something or make a hole in something:
» a knife with a sharp edge/blade.» sharp teeth/claws/fingernails» The point of this pencil isn't sharp enough.See picture: sharp blade 
Thesaurus+: ↑Sharp and blunt
C2 producing or describing a quick, strong pain that makes you feel like you have been cut:
» She nudged me with a sharp elbow, to tell me to be quiet.» I have this sharp pain in my chest, doctor.Thesaurus+: ↑Pain and painfulF0 describes a part of someone's face that is very pointed:
» a thin face with a sharp noseThesaurus+: ↑Sharp and bluntF0 If someone is sharp or makes a sharp statement, they speak or act in a severe and angry way that can hurt other people:
» He was rather sharp with me when I asked him to help.» The government's proposals came in for some sharp criticism.Thesaurus+: ↑SevereThesaurus+: ↑Becoming angry and expressing angersharpness /ˈʃɑːp.nəs/ aep /ˈʃɑːrp-/ noun [U]► F0» She has a remarkable sharpness of mind.» the sharpness of a photograph/imageThesaurus+: ↑PhotographyThesaurus+: ↑Intelligence , ↑PerceptiveThesaurus+: ↑Perceptive , ↑Using the eyes , ↑IntelligenceThesaurus+: ↑The style, appearance, and make-up of clothesThesaurus+: ↑Modern and fashionable , ↑Fashion , ↑Modern and fashionableThesaurus+: ↑Sharp and bluntThesaurus+: ↑Not expected or plannedWord Builder:–Nouns: sharpness–Adjectives: sharp–Verbs: sharpen–Adverbs: sharp, sharply
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Extra Examples:» The doctor used a sharp instrument to dig a piece of glass out of my finger.» Careful with that open tin - it's got a very sharp edge.» File down the sharp edges.» Shopkeepers are not supposed to sell knives and other sharp implements to children.» I felt a sharp pain and looked down to see blood pouring from my leg.adjective (CLEAR)
► C1 clear; easy to see or understand: » This TV gives a very sharp picture.» The mountains stood in sharp contrast to the blue sky.» There is a sharp distinction between crimes which involve injury to people and those that don't.» It was a sharp reminder of how dangerous the world can be.Thesaurus+: ↑Easy to understandsharpness /ˈʃɑːp.nəs/ aep /ˈʃɑːrp-/ noun [U]► F0» She has a remarkable sharpness of mind.» the sharpness of a photograph/imageThesaurus+: ↑PhotographyThesaurus+: ↑Intelligence , ↑PerceptiveThesaurus+: ↑Perceptive , ↑Using the eyes , ↑IntelligenceThesaurus+: ↑The style, appearance, and make-up of clothesThesaurus+: ↑Modern and fashionable , ↑Fashion , ↑Modern and fashionableThesaurus+: ↑Sharp and bluntThesaurus+: ↑Not expected or planned
adjective (SUDDEN)
► B2 happening suddenly, quickly, and strongly: » a sharp drop in temperature» a sharp decline in the standard of living» a sharp rise/increase in the number of cases of this illness» a sharp bend in the road» to suffer a sharp blow to the headSee picture: sharp bend Thesaurus+: ↑Not expected or plannedsharpness /ˈʃɑːp.nəs/ aep /ˈʃɑːrp-/ noun [U]
► F0» She has a remarkable sharpness of mind.» the sharpness of a photograph/imageThesaurus+: ↑PhotographyThesaurus+: ↑Intelligence , ↑PerceptiveThesaurus+: ↑Perceptive , ↑Using the eyes , ↑IntelligenceThesaurus+: ↑The style, appearance, and make-up of clothesThesaurus+: ↑Modern and fashionable , ↑Fashion , ↑Modern and fashionableThesaurus+: ↑Sharp and bluntThesaurus+: ↑Not expected or planned
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Extra Examples:» A sharp tap on the knee usually causes an involuntary movement of the lower leg.» She gave me a sharp jab in the ribs with her elbow to stop me from saying any more.» She pulled the bush out of the ground with a sharp jerk.» The latest crime figures show a sharp rise in burglaries.» Investors should not expect a sharp upturn in the economy.adjective (TASTE)
► F0 sour in taste: » Lemons have a sharp taste.» This cheese is rather sharp.→ SYNONYM ACID(Cf. ↑acid) adjective (CHEMICAL)Thesaurus+: ↑Flavours and tastessharpness /ˈʃɑːp.nəs/ aep /ˈʃɑːrp-/ noun [U]► F0» She has a remarkable sharpness of mind.» the sharpness of a photograph/imageThesaurus+: ↑PhotographyThesaurus+: ↑Intelligence , ↑PerceptiveThesaurus+: ↑Perceptive , ↑Using the eyes , ↑IntelligenceThesaurus+: ↑The style, appearance, and make-up of clothesThesaurus+: ↑Modern and fashionable , ↑Fashion , ↑Modern and fashionableThesaurus+: ↑Sharp and bluntThesaurus+: ↑Not expected or planned
adjective MAINLY APPROVING (CLEVER)
► B2 clever or quick to notice things: » Birdwatchers need to have sharp ears and eyes.» She has a sharp eye for a bargain.» Our new director is very sharp.» She manages to combine a sharp mind/intellect with a sympathetic manner.» He was a man of sharp wit/sharp-witted man who always spoke his mind.» The play was full of sharp one-liners.» US He may be old but he's still as sharp as a tack.Thesaurus+: ↑Perceptive , ↑Using the eyes , ↑IntelligenceThesaurus+: ↑Intelligence , ↑Perceptivesharpness /ˈʃɑːp.nəs/ aep /ˈʃɑːrp-/ noun [U]► F0» She has a remarkable sharpness of mind.» the sharpness of a photograph/imageThesaurus+: ↑PhotographyThesaurus+: ↑Intelligence , ↑PerceptiveThesaurus+: ↑Perceptive , ↑Using the eyes , ↑IntelligenceThesaurus+: ↑The style, appearance, and make-up of clothesThesaurus+: ↑Modern and fashionable , ↑Fashion , ↑Modern and fashionableThesaurus+: ↑Sharp and bluntThesaurus+: ↑Not expected or planned
adjective INFORMAL (FASHIONABLE)
► F0 fashionable: » Tony is a very sharp dresser.» a sharp-suited business executiveThesaurus+: ↑The style, appearance, and make-up of clothesThesaurus+: ↑Modern and fashionable , ↑Fashion , ↑Modern and fashionablesharpness /ˈʃɑːp.nəs/ aep /ˈʃɑːrp-/ noun [U]► F0» She has a remarkable sharpness of mind.» the sharpness of a photograph/imageThesaurus+: ↑PhotographyThesaurus+: ↑Intelligence , ↑PerceptiveThesaurus+: ↑Perceptive , ↑Using the eyes , ↑IntelligenceThesaurus+: ↑The style, appearance, and make-up of clothesThesaurus+: ↑Modern and fashionable , ↑Fashion , ↑Modern and fashionableThesaurus+: ↑Sharp and bluntThesaurus+: ↑Not expected or planned
adjective adverb
► F0 higher than the correct or stated musical note: » The E string on my guitar is a bit sharp.» This concerto is in the key of C sharp (= the set of musical notes a semitone higher than the one based on the note C).» to sing sharp→ COMPARE FLAT(Cf. ↑flat) adjective adverb (MUSIC), NATURAL(Cf. ↑natural) adjective (MUSIC)See picture: sharp See picture: sharp
Thesaurus+: ↑Notes of the musical scale
adverb (EXACTLY)
► C1 exactly at the stated time: » The performance will start at 7.30 sharp.Thesaurus+: ↑Accurate and exactThesaurus+: ↑At the right timeadverb (SUDDENLY)
► C1 suddenly or immediately: » After the church, turn sharp left/right.Thesaurus+: ↑Not expected or plannedWord Builder:–Nouns: sharpness–Adjectives: sharp–Verbs: sharpen–Adverbs: sharp, sharplynoun [C]
► F0 (a symbol for) a note that is a semitone higher than the stated noteThesaurus+: ↑Notes of the musical scale