sharp

adjective

\ ˈshärp

Definition of sharp

(Entry 1 of 5)

1 : adapted to cutting or piercing: such as

a : having a thin keen edge or fine point

b : briskly or bitingly cold : nipping a sharp wind

2a : 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: such as

a : full of activity or energy : brisk sharp blows

b : capable of acting or reacting strongly especially : caustic

4 : severe, harsh: such 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: such 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

6a : 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

7a 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

adverb

Definition of sharp (Entry 2 of 5)

1 : in a sharp manner

2 : exactly 1:15 sharp

sharp

noun

plural sharps

Definition of sharp (Entry 3 of 5)

: one that is sharp: such 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

e : a medical instrument (such as a scalpel, lancet, or syringe needle) that is sharp or may produce sharp pieces by shattering —usually plural It is no longer legal to dispose of sharps in the regular trash, Health Director Jeanne M. Galloway said in announcing the new collection station.— Angela Carbone

sharp

verb

sharped; sharping; sharps

Definition of sharp (Entry 4 of 5)

transitive verb

: to raise (a musical tone) in pitch especially : to raise in pitch by a half step

intransitive verb

: to sing or play above the proper pitch

Sharp

biographical name

\ ˈshärp

Definition of Sharp (Entry 5 of 5)

Phillip Allen 1944– American biologist

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sharp

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sharp

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