1. Having a thin cutting edge or pointed point; able to cut or pierce
   "a sharp knife"; "a pencil with a sharp point"
    
2. Ending in a piercing point; pointed
   "The sharp tip of the needle easily penetrated the fabric";
   - acuate, acute, needlelike
    
3. Marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
   "Her sharp business instincts led to success";
   - astute, shrewd, argute [literary], savvy [informal]
    
4. (of something seen or heard) clearly defined
   "a sharp photographic image"; "the sharp crack of a twig";
   - crisp
    
5. Having or showing quick and precise discernment or understanding; mentally perceptive and astute
   "as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang";
   - acute, discriminating, incisive, keen, knifelike, penetrating, penetrative, piercing
    
6. Quick and forceful
   "a sharp blow"
    
7. Very sudden and in great amount or degree
   "a sharp drop in the stock market"
    
8. Having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
   "a sharp whistle";
   - shrill
    
9. Harsh
   "sharp criticism"; "a sharp-worded exchange";
   - sharp-worded, tart
    
10. Dangerously steep
    "a sharp drop";
    - abrupt, precipitous
     
11. Keenly and painfully felt; as if caused by a sharp edge or point
    "a sharp pain"; "sharp winds"
     
12. (of a musical note) raised in pitch by one chromatic semitone
    "C sharp"

1. A musical notation indicating one half step higher than the note named
   "The key signature had three sharps"
    
2. A long thin sewing needle with a sharp point
   "She threaded the sharp with fine silk for delicate embroidery"

1. Changing suddenly in direction and degree
   "turn sharp left here";
   - sharply, acutely

Derived forms: sharps, sharpest, sharper

See also: acute, carnassial, chisel-like, cutting, dagger-like, distinct, drill-like, edged, fang-like, file-like, forceful, fulgurating, high, high-pitched, incisive, intense, keen, keenness, knifelike, lancinate, lancinating, metal-cutting, penetrating, penetrative, perceptive, piercing, pointed, razor-sharp, salt, sharpened, sharpness, sharp-toothed, smart, stabbing, steep, sudden, unpleasant

Type of: musical notation, sewing needle

Antonym: dull, flat, natural

Encyclopedia: Sharp, Philip Allen