What does "sharp" mean?
The symbol ♯, placed after the name of a note in the key signature or before a note on the staff to indicate that the note is to be played one chromatic semitone higher.
Sharp
/ʃɑːp/ adj, adv, name, noun, verb, slang
adj, adv, name, noun, verb, slang ·Top 500 ·Elementary level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The symbol ♯, placed after the name of a note in the key signature or before a note on the staff to indicate that the note is to be played one chromatic semitone higher.
- Grammar: sharp is listed as adj, adv, name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: able, abrupt, abrupt, abrupt movement.
- Useful contrasts: above-board, bland, blunt.
- Usage evidence: I have a sharp pain in my chest.
How to use "sharp"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "sharp" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "sharp" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "sharp" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "sharp" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "sharp" is acting as adj, adv, name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "able" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "sharp", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The symbol ♯, placed after the name of a note in the key signature or before a note on the staff to indicate that the note is to be played one chromatic semitone higher.
"The pitch pipe sounded out a perfect F♯ (F sharp)."
- 2 Acronym of skinhead against racial prejudice. abbreviation, acronym, alt-of
- 3 a long thin sewing needle with a sharp point wordnet
- 4 A note that is played one chromatic semitone higher than usual; denoted by the name of the note that is followed by the symbol ♯.
- 5 a musical notation indicating one half step higher than the note named wordnet
Show 13 more definitions
- 6 A note that is sharp in a particular key.
"The piece was difficult to read after it had been transposed, since in the new key many notes were sharps."
- 7 The scale having a particular sharp note as its tonic.
"Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" is written in C♯ minor (C sharp minor.)"
- 8 Something that is sharp. plural-normally
"Place sharps in the specially marked red container for safe disposal."
- 9 Something that is sharp.; A hypodermic syringe. plural-normally
- 10 Something that is sharp.; A scalpel or other edged instrument used in surgery. dated, plural-normally
- 11 Something that is sharp.; A sharp object; any item pointed enough to injure human skin. plural-normally
- 12 A dishonest person; a cheater.
"The billiard sharp whom anyone catches / His doom's extremely hard— [...]"
- 13 Part of a stream where the water runs very rapidly.
"here are good fish to be picked out of sharps and stop-holes into the water-tables"
- 14 A sewing needle with a very slender point, more pointed than a blunt or a between.
- 15 Fine particles of husk mixed with coarse particle of flour of cereals; middlings. in-plural
"While he worked he talked to his ducks, who were waddling about hopefully, as it was almost time for the red bucket to be filled with sharps and potato-peelings."
- 16 An expert. dated, slang
- 17 A sharpie (member of Australian gangs of the 1960s and 1970s).
"The Circle was one of the few dances the older sharps frequented; mostly they were to be found in pubs, pool-halls or at the track."
- 18 Alternative form of sharpie (“type of fishing boat”). alt-of, alternative
Verb
- 1 To raise the pitch of a note half a step making a natural note a sharp.
"That new musician must be tone deaf: he sharped half the notes of the song!"
- 2 To play tricks in bargaining; to act the sharper.
"he made a shift yet to pick up a Sorry Living upon the Rook ; and not by Sharping alone , but now and then by downright Stealing"
- 3 To sharpen. obsolete, transitive
Adjective
- 1 Terminating in a point or edge, especially one that can cut or pierce easily; not dull, obtuse, or rounded.
"I keep my knives sharp so that they don't slip unexpectedly while carving."
- 2 Intelligent. colloquial
"My nephew is a sharp lad; he can count to 100 in six languages, and he's only five years old."
- 3 Raised by one semitone (denoted by the symbol ♯ after the name of the note).
- 4 Higher in pitch than required.
"The orchestra's third violin several times was sharp about an eighth of a tone."
- 5 Having a strong acrid or acidic taste.
"Milly couldn't stand sharp cheeses when she was pregnant, because they made her nauseated."
Show 19 more definitions
- 6 Sudden, abrupt, intense, rapid.
"A pregnant woman during labor normally experiences a number of sharp contractions."
- 7 Illegal or dishonest. colloquial
"Michael had a number of sharp ventures that he kept off the books."
- 8 Keenly or unduly attentive to one's own interests; shrewd, verging on dishonest. colloquial
"a sharp dealer, a sharp customer, sharp practice"
- 9 Exact, precise, accurate; keen.
"You'll need sharp aim to make that shot."
- 10 Offensive, critical, or acrimonious; stern or harsh.
"sharp criticism"
- 11 Stylish, smart or attractive. colloquial
"You look so sharp in that tuxedo!"
- 12 Observant; alert; acute.
"Keep a sharp watch on the prisoners. I don't want them to escape!"
- 13 Quick and alert.
"Jones, the centre forward, made a sharp start to the game."
- 14 Strongly distinguishing or differentiating; acute.
"a sharp contrast, a sharp distinction"
- 15 Forming a small or tight angle; especially, forming an angle of less than ninety degrees.
"Drive down Main for three quarters of a mile, then make a sharp right turn onto Pine."
- 16 Steep; precipitous; abrupt.
"a sharp ascent or descent"
- 17 Said of as extreme a value as possible.
"Sure, any planar graph can be five-colored. But that result is not sharp: in fact, any planar graph can be four-colored. That is sharp: the same can't be said for any lower number."
- 18 Tactical; risky.
"Time and time again, the amateur player has lost the opportunity to make the really best move because he felt bound to follow some chess "rule" he had learned, rather than to make the sharp move which was indicated by the position."
- 19 Piercing; keen; severe; painful.
"a sharp pain; the sharp and frosty winter air"
- 20 Eager or keen in pursuit; impatient for gratification.
"a sharp appetite"
- 21 Fierce; ardent; fiery; violent; impetuous. obsolete
"And fear of God, from whom their piety feign'd In sharp contest of battle found no aid Against invaders"
- 22 Composed of hard, angular grains; gritty.
"Well-burnt good lime and sharp sand, if very sharp, a load of sand (about 36 bushels) to a hundred of lime (being 25 bushels, or a hundred pecks[…]"
- 23 Uttered in a whisper, or with the breath alone; aspirated; unvoiced. dated
- 24 Hungry. obsolete
"“[W]hy this last week we ha'n't had nothing at all but some dry musty red herrings; so you may think, Miss, we're kept pretty sharp!”"
Adjective
- 1 marked by practical hardheaded intelligence wordnet
- 2 (of something seen or heard) clearly defined wordnet
- 3 having or made by a thin edge or sharp point; suitable for cutting or piercing wordnet
- 4 keenly and painfully felt; as if caused by a sharp edge or point wordnet
- 5 quick and forceful wordnet
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 very sudden and in great amount or degree wordnet
- 7 dangerously steep wordnet
- 8 having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones wordnet
- 9 (of a musical note) raised in pitch by one chromatic semitone wordnet
- 10 having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions wordnet
- 11 harsh wordnet
- 12 ending in a sharp point wordnet
Adverb
- 1 In a sharp manner: a less usual alternative to sharply in certain senses.; To a point or edge.
- 2 In a sharp manner: a less usual alternative to sharply in certain senses.; Piercingly.
"The iron plates rang sharp, but turn'd the spear"
- 3 In a sharp manner: a less usual alternative to sharply in certain senses.; Eagerly.
"You bite so sharp at reasons."
- 4 In a sharp manner: a less usual alternative to sharply in certain senses.; So as to make a sharp, or tight, angle.
"South of the city the river turns sharp to the east."
- 5 Exactly. not-comparable
"I'll see you at twelve o'clock sharp."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 In a higher pitch than is correct or desirable.
"I didn't enjoy the concert much because the soprano sang sharp on all the high notes."
Adverb
- 1 changing suddenly in direction and degree wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
- 2 An unincorporated community in Ozark County, Missouri, United States.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"I have a sharp pain in my chest."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "sharp"?
Common synonyms include: able, abrupt, abrupt, abrupt movement, abrupt silence, abrupt transition.
How do you use "sharp" in a sentence?
I have a sharp pain in my chest.
How do you pronounce "sharp"?
Pronounced /ʃɑːp/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English scharp, from Old English sċearp, from Proto-West Germanic *skarp, from Proto-Germanic *skarpaz, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kerb-, from *(s)ker- (“to cut”). Cognate with West Frisian skerp, Low German scherp, scharp, schaarp, Dutch scherp, German scharf, Danish skarp. Compare Irish cearb (“keen; cutting”), Latin acerbus (“tart, bitter”), Tocharian B kärpye (“rough”), Latvian skârbs (“sharp, rough”), Russian щерба (ščerba, “notch”), Polish szczerba (“gap, dent, jag, chip, nick, notch”), Albanian harb (“rudeness”). More at shear.
Etymology 2
* As an English, Scottish and occasionally Irish (translated from géar) surname, from the adjective sharp. * As a German surname, Americanized from scharf (“sharp”), same meaning as above.