sharp
gb/ʃˈɑɹp/ us/ʃˈɑɹp/
A2
English
~ 2100
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
having a fine cutting edge
Having an edge or point that can cut things easily.
Usage pattern:
a sharp [object]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'sharp' with 'pointy'; 'pointy' refers only to the tip, not necessarily the ability to cut.
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.)
Collocations
sharp knife
|sharp blade
|sharp scissors
|sharp edge
Themes
daily life
|tools
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Be careful, the knife is very sharp.
- The tailor used a pair of sharp scissors.
- 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.
- The scissors are sharp.
- The glass is sharp.
- The pencil is sharp.
adjective
B1
property
2
high-pitched or piercing sound
Making a short, high sound that can hurt the ears.
Usage pattern:
a sharp [sound/noise]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'sharp' with 'loud'; loud is about volume, while sharp is about pitch and suddenness.
Synonyms
piercing (Implies an especially intense, penetrating sound.)
Antonyms
dull (In sound, refers to being muted or lacking brightness.)
Collocations
sharp cry
|sharp tone
|sharp whistle
|sharp scream
Themes
daily life
|sound
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She let out a sharp cry when she saw the spider.
- The referee's whistle gave a sharp blast.
- 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.
- The whistle made a sharp sound.
- The baby made a sharp scream.
adjective
B1
property
3
quick to notice or understand
Able to think and understand things quickly.
Usage pattern:
a sharp [mind/person]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'sharp' meaning intelligent with 'clever'; 'clever' can also mean skillful in tricking people.
Synonyms
keen (Suggests eagerness and strong ability to notice or learn.)
Antonyms
slow-witted (Describes someone who takes longer to understand things.)
Collocations
sharp mind
|sharp wit
|sharp observation
|sharp memory
Themes
emotions
|learning
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She has a sharp mind and learns new skills quickly.
- He made a sharp observation about the meeting.
- 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.
- He is very sharp in class.
- You must be sharp in this game.
adjective
B1
property
4
causing sudden strong pain
Giving a quick and strong hurt in the body.
Usage pattern:
a sharp [pain] in [body part]
Synonyms
stabbing (Suggests an intense pain that feels like being pierced.)
Antonyms
dull (In pain, refers to persistent but less intense sensation.)
Collocations
sharp pain
|sharp ache
|sharp twinge
Themes
health
|body
Examples
- He felt a sharp pain in his chest.
- A sharp twinge in my back made me stop running.
- 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.
- He felt a sharp pain in his arm.
- She has a sharp pain in her head.
adjective
A2
property
5
sudden change in direction or angle
Turning quickly or suddenly at an angle.
Usage pattern:
a sharp [turn/bend]
Synonyms
abrupt (Describes something sudden and steep without preparation.)
Antonyms
gentle (Describes a gradual change rather than sudden.)
Collocations
sharp turn
|sharp bend
|sharp corner
Themes
travel
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The car made a sharp turn to avoid the dog.
- Be careful of the sharp bend ahead.
- Cyclists slowed down for the sharp corner.
- The path takes a sharp curve near the river.
Learner examples
- The road has a sharp turn.
- He made a sharp turn left.
- There is a sharp bend here.
adjective
B2
property
6
severe or critical in tone/manner
Speaking or acting in an angry or critical way.
Usage pattern:
a sharp [remark/rebuke]
Synonyms
harsh (Implies severity that may be unpleasant.)
Antonyms
gentle (Implies mildness and kindness in tone or manner.)
Collocations
sharp remark
|sharp reply
|sharp criticism
Themes
emotions
|communication
|relationships
Examples
- She gave him a sharp reply when he interrupted her.
- His teacher's sharp criticism hurt his feelings.
- 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.
- He heard a sharp remark from his boss.
- Her voice was sharp.
adjective
technical
B2
property
7
slightly higher pitch than correct note (music)
In music, playing or singing a little too high in pitch.
Synonyms
off-pitch high (Technical term for being above correct pitch.)
Antonyms
flat (Pitch is slightly lower than correct note.)
Collocations
singing sharp
|note is sharp
Themes
music
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- You're singing slightly sharp on that note.
- The violin was tuned too high and sounded sharp.
- Her voice tends to go sharp when she gets nervous.
Learner examples
- You are singing too sharp.
- The guitar sounds sharp.
- That note is sharp.
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.