sharp
gb/ʃˈɑɹp/ us/ʃˈɑɹp/
A2
Anglais
~ 2100
Sens
0 sens
adjective
A2
property
1
having a fine cutting edge
Having an edge or point that can cut things easily.
Schéma d’usage :
a sharp [object]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'sharp' with 'pointy'; 'pointy' refers only to the tip, not necessarily the ability to cut.
Synonymes
pointed (Emphasizes the tip rather than the cutting edge.)
Antonymes
blunt (Describes an edge or point that is not sharp and cannot cut well.)
Collocations
sharp knife
|sharp blade
|sharp scissors
|sharp edge
Thèmes
daily life
|tools
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Schéma d’usage :
a sharp [sound/noise]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse 'sharp' with 'loud'; loud is about volume, while sharp is about pitch and suddenness.
Synonymes
piercing (Implies an especially intense, penetrating sound.)
Antonymes
dull (In sound, refers to being muted or lacking brightness.)
Collocations
sharp cry
|sharp tone
|sharp whistle
|sharp scream
Thèmes
daily life
|sound
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Schéma d’usage :
a sharp [mind/person]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse 'sharp' meaning intelligent with 'clever'; 'clever' can also mean skillful in tricking people.
Synonymes
keen (Suggests eagerness and strong ability to notice or learn.)
Antonymes
slow-witted (Describes someone who takes longer to understand things.)
Collocations
sharp mind
|sharp wit
|sharp observation
|sharp memory
Thèmes
emotions
|learning
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Schéma d’usage :
a sharp [pain] in [body part]
Synonymes
stabbing (Suggests an intense pain that feels like being pierced.)
Antonymes
dull (In pain, refers to persistent but less intense sensation.)
Collocations
sharp pain
|sharp ache
|sharp twinge
Thèmes
health
|body
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Schéma d’usage :
a sharp [turn/bend]
Synonymes
abrupt (Describes something sudden and steep without preparation.)
Antonymes
gentle (Describes a gradual change rather than sudden.)
Collocations
sharp turn
|sharp bend
|sharp corner
Thèmes
travel
|space
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Schéma d’usage :
a sharp [remark/rebuke]
Synonymes
harsh (Implies severity that may be unpleasant.)
Antonymes
gentle (Implies mildness and kindness in tone or manner.)
Collocations
sharp remark
|sharp reply
|sharp criticism
Thèmes
emotions
|communication
|relationships
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Synonymes
off-pitch high (Technical term for being above correct pitch.)
Antonymes
flat (Pitch is slightly lower than correct note.)
Collocations
singing sharp
|note is sharp
Thèmes
music
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- You are singing too sharp.
- The guitar sounds sharp.
- That note is sharp.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
sharp
API
GB/ʃˈɑɹp/
US/ʃˈɑɹp/
Syllabes et accentuation
sharp (1 syllabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (sharp)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: sharp
- Comparative: sharper
- Superlative: sharpest
Famille de mots
Expressions
look sharp
1/lˈʊk ʃˈɑɹp/
idiom
informal
hurry up and pay attention
Move quickly and pay attention to what you are doing.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- She turned on her heel sharply and left the room.
- He spun sharply on his heel when he heard his name.