sharply
gb/ʃˈɑɹpli/ us/ʃˈɑɹpli/
B1
English
~ 3000
hirtelen, meredeken, élesen, nyersen
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] speaks/moves/changes sharply
The car turned sharply to avoid the dog.
Az autó élesen elkanyarodott, hogy elkerülje a kutyát.
Prices have risen sharply over the past year.
Az árak meredeken emelkedtek az elmúlt évben.
She spoke sharply to get their attention.
His mood changed sharply after hearing the news.
The temperature dropped sharply overnight.
Learner examples
The bus stopped sharply at the corner.
A busz hirtelen megállt a saroknál.
He turned sharply to the left.
Élesen balra fordult.
The price went up sharply last month.
She looked at him sharply when he interrupted.
It got cold sharply in the evening.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'sharply' with 'sharply dressed', which refers to appearance, not suddenness or intensity.
Meaning
suddenly and intensely
Collocations
rise sharply
|turn sharply
|increase sharply
|fall sharply
|look sharply
Synonyms
abruptly (Focuses more on the suddenness without implying intensity.)
|
briskly (Suggests quickness but often with efficiency rather than severity.)
Antonyms
gradually (Describes something happening slowly over time, opposite of suddenness.)
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Happening fast and with strong force or effect.
In a way that is sudden, strong, or severe.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] speaks sharply to [someone]
'That's enough,' she said sharply.
– Elég volt – mondta élesen.
He was told sharply to mind his own business.
Élesen rászóltak, hogy törődjön a saját dolgával.
The teacher spoke sharply to the noisy students.
She answered the question sharply, clearly annoyed.
He reacted sharply to the criticism.
Learner examples
She spoke sharply to her son.
Élesen beszélt a fiával.
The teacher said sharply, 'Sit down.'
– Ülj le! – mondta élesen a tanár.
He answered her sharply.
She told him sharply to stop talking.
He looked at me sharply when I laughed.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with physical sharpness, but it refers to tone of voice or manner.
Meaning
in a harsh or critical way
Collocations
reply sharply
|say sharply
|retort sharply
Synonyms
sternly (Implies firm and serious tone without necessarily being angry.)
|
harshly (Emphasizes the rough or severe nature of the words or tone.)
Antonyms
gently (Describes speaking in a soft and kind way, opposite of sharp criticism.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Speaking in a way that sounds angry or critical.
In a way that shows disapproval, criticism, or annoyance.
B2
3
élesen
B1
The mountain stood out sharply against the blue sky.
A hegy élesen kirajzolódott a kék ég előtt.
Her features were sharply defined in the light.
Arcvonásai élesen kirajzolódtak a fényben.
The two styles contrast sharply.
The outline of the ship appeared sharply on the horizon.
Learner examples
The building showed sharply against the sky.
Az épület élesen kirajzolódott az égbolt előtt.
His picture is sharply focused.
A képe élesre van fókuszálva.
The colors are sharply different.
The mountains are sharply visible today.
Meaning
with clear definition or contrast
Collocations
sharply defined
|sharply focused
|sharply contrasted
Synonyms
clearly (General clarity without implying contrast.)
|
distinctly (Emphasizes being easy to see or hear.)
Antonyms
blurred (Lacking clear edges or definition.)
Themes
visuals
|description
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Looking very clear and easy to see, with strong lines or differences.
In a way that is clearly defined or strongly contrasting in appearance.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sharply
IPA
GB/ʃˈɑɹpli/
US/ʃˈɑɹpli/
Syllables & stress
sharply (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (sharply)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sharply
- Plural: sharplies
Word family
Expressions
look sharply at
1/lˈʊk ʃˈɑɹpli ˈæt/
fixed phrase
to look quickly and intensely at
To look at someone fast and with strong attention or feeling, often because you are surprised or angry.
Examples
- She looked sharply at him when he interrupted.
- He looked sharply at the child who was misbehaving.
rise sharply
1/ɹˈaɪz ʃˈɑɹpli/
fixed phrase
to increase suddenly and a lot
To go up very fast and by a large amount.
Examples
- Prices have risen sharply this year.
- Unemployment rose sharply after the factory closed.
turn sharply
1/tˈɚn ʃˈɑɹpli/
fixed phrase
to change direction suddenly
To move in another direction very fast and suddenly.
Examples
- The car turned sharply to avoid hitting the cyclist.
- He turned sharply when he heard his name.