I. ˈshärp adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English scearp; akin to Old High German scarf sharp and perhaps to Old English scrapian to scrape — more at scrape
Date: before 12th century
1. : adapted to cutting or piercing: as
a. : having a thin keen edge or fine point
b. : briskly or bitingly cold : nipping
a sharp wind
2.
a. : keen in intellect : quick-witted
b. : keen in perception : acute
sharp sight
c. : keen in attention : vigilant
keep a sharp lookout
d. : keen in attention to one's own interest sometimes to the point of being unethical
a sharp trader
also : corrupt , unethical
sharp business practices
3. : keen in spirit or action: as
a. : full of activity or energy : brisk
sharp blows
b. : capable of acting or reacting strongly ; especially : caustic
4. : severe , harsh : as
a. : inclined to or marked by irritability or anger
a sharp temper
b. : causing intense mental or physical distress
a sharp pain
c. : cutting in language or import
a sharp rebuke
5. : affecting the senses or sense organs intensely: as
a.
(1) : having a strong odor or flavor
sharp cheese
(2) : acrid
b. : having a strong piercing sound
c. : having the effect of or involving a sudden brilliant display of light
a sharp flash
6.
a. : terminating in a point or edge
sharp features
b. : involving an abrupt or marked change especially in direction
a sharp turn
c. : clear in outline or detail : distinct
a sharp image
d. : set forth with clarity and distinctness
sharp contrast
7.
a. of a tone : raised a half step in pitch
b. : higher than the proper pitch
c. : major , augmented — used of an interval in music
8. : stylish , dressy
• sharp·ly adverb
• sharp·ness noun
Synonyms:
sharp , keen , acute mean having or showing alert competence and clear understanding. sharp implies quick perception, clever resourcefulness, or sometimes questionable trickiness
sharp enough to spot a confidence game
keen suggests quickness, enthusiasm, and a penetrating mind
a keen observer of the political scene
acute implies a power to penetrate and may suggest subtlety and sharpness of discrimination
an acute sense of style
II. adverb
Date: before 12th century
1. : in a sharp manner
2. : exactly
1:15 sharp
III. noun
Date: 14th century
: one that is sharp: as
a. : a sharp edge or point
b.
(1) : a musical note or tone one half step higher than a note or tone named
(2) : a character ♯ on a line or space of the musical staff indicating a pitch a half step higher than the degree would indicate without it
c. : a needle with a small eye for sewing by hand
d. : a real or self-proclaimed expert ; also : sharper
IV. verb
Date: 1662
transitive verb
: to raise (as a musical tone) in pitch ; especially : to raise in pitch by a half step
intransitive verb
: to sing or play above the proper pitch