- (v.t.) To raise above the proper pitch; to elevate the tone of; especially, to raise a half step or semitone, above the natural tone.
- (superl.) Steep; precipitous; abrupt; as, a sharp ascent or descent; a sharp turn or curve.
- (v.t.) To sharpen.
- (superl.) Cutting in language or import; biting; sarcastic; cruel; harsh; rigorous; severe; as, a sharp rebuke.
- (n.) A sharp tone or note.
- (superl.) So high as to be out of tune or above true pitch; as, the tone is sharp; that instrument is sharp. Opposed in all these senses to flat.
- (n.) A sharp tool or weapon.
- (n.) The character [/] used to indicate that the note before which it is placed is to be raised a half step or semitone, in pitch.
- (superl.) Composed of hard, angular grains; gritty; as, sharp sand.
- (superl.) Eager in pursuit; keen in quest; impatient for gratification; keen; as, a sharp appetite.
- (adv.) To a point or edge; piercingly; eagerly; sharply.
- (superl.) Very trying to the feelings; piercing; keen; severe; painful; distressing; as, sharp pain, weather; a sharp and frosty air.
- (superl.) High in pitch; acute; as, a sharp note or tone.
- (n.) Same as Middlings, 1.
- (superl.) Fierce; ardent; fiery; violent; impetuous.
- (superl.) Raised a semitone in pitch; as, C sharp (C/), which is a half step or semitone, higher than C.
- (superl.) Having a very thin edge or fine point; of a nature to cut or pierce easily; not blunt or dull; keen.
- (superl.) Of keen perception; quick to discern or distinguish; having nice discrimination; acute; penetrating; sagacious; clever; as, a sharp eye; sharp sight, hearing or judgment.
- (superl.) Terminating in a point or edge; not obtuse or rounded; somewhat pointed or edged; peaked or ridged; as, a sharp hill; sharp features.
- (v.i.) To play tricks in bargaining; to act the sharper.
- (superl.) Keenly or unduly attentive to one's own interest; close and exact in dealing; shrewd; as, a sharp dealer; a sharp customer.
- (v.i.) To sing above the proper pitch.
- (adv.) Precisely; exactly; as, we shall start at ten o'clock sharp.
- (n.) An expert.
- (superl.) Uttered in a whisper or with the breath alone, without voice, as certain consonants, such as p, k, t, f; surd; nonvocal; aspirated.
- (n.) A sewing needle having a very slender point; a needle of the most pointed of the three grades, blunts, betweens, and sharps.
- (n.) A portion of a stream where the water runs very rapidly.
- (superl.) Affecting the sense as if pointed or cutting, keen, penetrating, acute: to the taste or smell, pungent, acid, sour, as ammonia has a sharp taste and odor; to the hearing, piercing, shrill, as a sharp sound or voice; to the eye, instantaneously brilliant, dazzling, as a sharp flash.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). sharp. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/sharp/definitions/2061139 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "sharp" http://smartdefine.org/sharp/definitions/2061139 (accessed September 20, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, sharp, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/sharp/definitions/2061139>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "sharp" 28 May 2011. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/sharp/definitions/2061139> |