sharp
gb/ʃˈɑɹp/ us/ʃˈɑɹp/
A2
English
~ 2100
éles, hegyes, sivító, éles eszű, éleslátó, szúró, csípős, magas, felfelé hamis
A2
1
Usage pattern:
a sharp [object]
Be careful, the knife is very sharp.
Vigyázz, a kés nagyon éles.
The tailor used a pair of sharp scissors.
A szabó éles ollót használt.
He stepped on a sharp piece of glass.
The chef sharpened his sharp kitchen knives.
A sharp needle is needed for this fabric.
Learner examples
This knife is sharp.
Ez a kés éles.
The scissors are sharp.
Az olló éles.
The glass is sharp.
The pencil is sharp.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'sharp' with 'pointy'; 'pointy' refers only to the tip, not necessarily the ability to cut.
Meaning
having a fine cutting edge
Collocations
sharp knife
|sharp blade
|sharp scissors
|sharp edge
Synonyms
pointed (Emphasizes the tip rather than the cutting edge.)
Antonyms
blunt (Describes an edge or point that is not sharp and cannot cut well.)
Themes
daily life
|tools
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Having an edge or point that can cut things easily.
Having an edge or point that can cut or pierce something easily.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
a sharp [sound/noise]
She let out a sharp cry when she saw the spider.
Éles sikolyt hallatott, amikor meglátta a pókot.
The referee's whistle gave a sharp blast.
A játékvezető sípja éles hangon szólalt meg.
A sharp scream echoed through the hallway.
His voice took on a sharp tone.
The alarm emitted a sharp beep.
Learner examples
I heard a sharp cry.
Éles kiáltást hallottam.
The whistle made a sharp sound.
A síp éles hangon szólt.
The baby made a sharp scream.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'sharp' with 'loud'; loud is about volume, while sharp is about pitch and suddenness.
Meaning
high-pitched or piercing sound
Collocations
sharp cry
|sharp tone
|sharp whistle
|sharp scream
Synonyms
piercing (Implies an especially intense, penetrating sound.)
Antonyms
dull (In sound, refers to being muted or lacking brightness.)
Themes
daily life
|sound
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Making a short, high sound that can hurt the ears.
Having a sudden, high-pitched, and often unpleasant sound.
B1
3
Usage pattern:
a sharp [mind/person]
She has a sharp mind and learns new skills quickly.
Éles az esze, és gyorsan sajátít el új készségeket.
He made a sharp observation about the meeting.
Éleslátó megfigyelést tett a megbeszéléssel kapcsolatban.
Her wit is as sharp as ever.
The detective's sharp instincts solved the case.
You need to stay sharp during negotiations.
Learner examples
She has a sharp mind.
Éles esze van.
He is very sharp in class.
Az órán nagyon éles az esze.
You must be sharp in this game.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'sharp' meaning intelligent with 'clever'; 'clever' can also mean skillful in tricking people.
Meaning
quick to notice or understand
Collocations
sharp mind
|sharp wit
|sharp observation
|sharp memory
Synonyms
keen (Suggests eagerness and strong ability to notice or learn.)
Antonyms
slow-witted (Describes someone who takes longer to understand things.)
Themes
emotions
|learning
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Able to think and understand things quickly.
Quick to notice, understand, and respond to things; mentally alert.
B1
4
Usage pattern:
a sharp [pain] in [body part]
He felt a sharp pain in his chest.
Éles fájdalmat érzett a mellkasában.
A sharp twinge in my back made me stop running.
Futás közben éles nyilallást éreztem a hátamban, ezért megálltam.
She had a sharp headache after the noise.
I experienced a sharp ache in my knee while climbing stairs.
Learner examples
I have a sharp pain in my leg.
Éles fájdalmat érzek a lábamban.
He felt a sharp pain in his arm.
Éles fájdalmat érzett a karjában.
She has a sharp pain in her head.
Meaning
causing sudden strong pain
Collocations
sharp pain
|sharp ache
|sharp twinge
Synonyms
stabbing (Suggests an intense pain that feels like being pierced.)
Antonyms
dull (In pain, refers to persistent but less intense sensation.)
Themes
health
|body
Definition
Giving a quick and strong hurt in the body.
Causing sudden, strong, and often localized physical pain.
A2
5
éles
B1
Usage pattern:
a sharp [turn/bend]
The car made a sharp turn to avoid the dog.
Az autó éles kanyart vett, hogy kikerülje a kutyát.
Be careful of the sharp bend ahead.
Vigyázz, éles kanyar következik.
Cyclists slowed down for the sharp corner.
The path takes a sharp curve near the river.
Learner examples
The road has a sharp turn.
Az úton van egy éles kanyar.
He made a sharp turn left.
Élesen balra kanyarodott.
There is a sharp bend here.
Meaning
sudden change in direction or angle
Collocations
sharp turn
|sharp bend
|sharp corner
Synonyms
abrupt (Describes something sudden and steep without preparation.)
Antonyms
gentle (Describes a gradual change rather than sudden.)
Themes
travel
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Turning quickly or suddenly at an angle.
Having an abrupt or steep change in direction or angle.
B2
6
Usage pattern:
a sharp [remark/rebuke]
She gave him a sharp reply when he interrupted her.
Éles választ adott neki, amikor a férfi a szavába vágott.
His teacher's sharp criticism hurt his feelings.
A tanára éles kritikája megbántotta.
There was a sharp edge to her voice during the argument.
He received a sharp rebuke for being late.
Learner examples
She gave him a sharp answer.
Éles választ adott neki.
He heard a sharp remark from his boss.
Csípős megjegyzést hallott a főnökétől.
Her voice was sharp.
Meaning
severe or critical in tone/manner
Collocations
sharp remark
|sharp reply
|sharp criticism
Synonyms
harsh (Implies severity that may be unpleasant.)
Antonyms
gentle (Implies mildness and kindness in tone or manner.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|relationships
Definition
Speaking or acting in an angry or critical way.
Expressing disapproval or criticism in a severe or cutting way.
B2
TECHNICAL
7
magas
B2
You're singing slightly sharp on that note.
Ezt a hangot egy kicsit túl magasra énekled.
The violin was tuned too high and sounded sharp.
A hegedű túl magasra volt hangolva, és felfelé hamisan szólt.
Her voice tends to go sharp when she gets nervous.
Learner examples
You are singing too sharp.
Túl magasra énekelsz.
The guitar sounds sharp.
A gitár felfelé hamisan szól.
That note is sharp.
Meaning
slightly higher pitch than correct note (music)
Collocations
singing sharp
|note is sharp
Synonyms
off-pitch high (Technical term for being above correct pitch.)
Antonyms
flat (Pitch is slightly lower than correct note.)
Themes
music
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In music, playing or singing a little too high in pitch.
In music, having pitch slightly higher than the correct note.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sharp
IPA
GB/ʃˈɑɹp/
US/ʃˈɑɹp/
Syllables & stress
sharp (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (sharp)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: sharp
- Comparative: sharper
- Superlative: sharpest
Word family
Expressions
look sharp
1/lˈʊk ʃˈɑɹp/
idiom
informal
hurry up and pay attention
Move quickly and pay attention to what you are doing.
Examples
- Look sharp! The bus is coming.
- We need to look sharp if we're going to finish on time.
sharp as a tack
1/ʃˈɑɹp ˈæz ə tˈæk/
idiom
informal
very intelligent and quick thinking
Very smart and able to think quickly.
Examples
- Even at 80 years old, she's still as sharp as a tack.
- He's new here but already as sharp as a tack.
turn on one's heel sharply
1/tˈɚn ˈɔn wˈʌnz hˈil ʃˈɑɹpli/
fixed phrase
turn suddenly on one's heel/foot forcefully
Turn around very quickly and strongly on one foot.
Examples
- She turned on her heel sharply and left the room.
- He spun sharply on his heel when he heard his name.