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sharp
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- pronunciation:
- sharp
- parts of speech:
- adjective, adverb, noun
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective), Word Builder, Word Explorer
part of speech: |
adjective |
inflections: |
sharper, sharpest |
definition 1: |
having a thin edge or a fine point, esp. for cutting or piercing; not blunt.
Every chef needs sharp knives.
- synonyms:
- acute, fine, keen
- antonyms:
- blunt, dull
- similar words:
- acuminate, pointed, pointy
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definition 2: |
causing a drastic or sudden change in direction.
Slow down, the road makes a sharp turn up ahead.The driver made a sharp turn and the cargo shifted.- synonyms:
- abrupt, quick, sudden
- antonyms:
- dull, gentle, gradual
- similar words:
- acute, drastic, precipitous, rapid, steep
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definition 3: |
biting to the sense of taste or smell; pungent.
I prefer sharp cheese to mild cheese.- synonyms:
- nippy, piquant, pungent, tart
- antonyms:
- mellow, mild
- similar words:
- acid, acidic, acrid, bitter, penetrating, peppery, sour, spicy, strong, vinegary
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definition 4: |
piercing to the sense of sound; shrill.
The smoke alarm makes a sharp noise when it's activated.- synonyms:
- high-pitched, penetrating, piercing, shrill
- antonyms:
- dull
- similar words:
- cutting, earsplitting, harsh, raucous, strident
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definition 5: |
harsh and hurtful; caustic.
She apologized for her sharp words.When the pains became very sharp, he finally went to the doctor.- synonyms:
- acrid, barbed, biting, caustic, pungent, tart
- antonyms:
- gentle, kind
- similar words:
- acid, bitter, brisk, critical, cruel, cutting, harsh, hurtful, incisive, mordant, sarcastic, scathing, unkind, vitriolic
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definition 6: |
clearly outlined or detailed; distinct.
My phone camera takes nice, sharp images.- synonyms:
- distinct
- antonyms:
- blurry, dreamy, indistinct, misty
- similar words:
- clear, keen, precise, vivid
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definition 7: |
mentally quick; alert.
He's a particularly sharp student who shows a great deal of promise.- synonyms:
- alert, bright, clever, keen, perceptive, quick, quick-witted, smart
- antonyms:
- blunt, dim, dull, slow, stupid
- similar words:
- acute, agile, apt, astute, attentive, brilliant, clearheaded, incisive, intelligent, knowing, lively, penetrating, pungent, ready, shrewd
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definition 8: |
shrewd; astute.
She's always been a sharp observer of politics.- synonyms:
- astute, discerning, keen, penetrating, perceptive, shrewd, smart
- antonyms:
- unperceptive
- similar words:
- acute, artful, biting, canny, clever, cunning, incisive, intelligent, knowing, tart
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definition 9: |
in music, half a step higher in pitch. (Cf. flat1.)
- antonyms:
- flat
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definition 10: |
excellent in ability to perceive; keen.
Bats have both good eyesight and sharp hearing.Eagles have sharp eyes that allow them to see their prey from high above the ground. |
definition 11: |
fashionable or nicely dressed and groomed.
He looks sharp in his new suit, doesn't he? |
related words: |
awake, biting, bright, brusque, calculating, clarion, crafty, discerning, foxy, nimble, perceptive, rough, sheer, short, spicy, stout, subtle, tart, trenchant, understanding |
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part of speech: |
adverb |
inflections: |
sharper, sharpest |
definition 1: |
in an alert way.
Look sharp, or you will miss the bus.- synonyms:
- acutely, alertly, keenly, suddenly
- similar words:
- closely, quickly
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definition 2: |
exactly.
The meeting will start at three o'clock sharp.- synonyms:
- exactly, on the nose, precisely
- antonyms:
- approximately, roughly
- similar words:
- just, on the dot, promptly
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definition 3: |
slightly higher than the intended pitch.
She tends to sing sharp.- antonyms:
- flat
- similar words:
- high, off
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part of speech: |
noun |
definition 1: |
in music, a tone that is a half step higher than the specified one. (Cf. flat1.)
My mistake was that I played the last sharp as a natural. |
definition 2: |
in music, an instruction in the key signature that calls for a certain note to be played or sung a half step higher than written wherever it appears in the music, or a notation that a particular single note is to be played or sung a half step higher.
This piece has three sharps. |
derivations: |
sharply (adv.), sharpness (n.) |
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