- having a fine edge or point, especially of something that can cut or make a hole in something
- a sharp knife
- Toys with sharp edges are not suitable for young children.
- sharp teeth
- Take a sheet of paper and a sharp pencil.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- look
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- as sharp as a razor
Definitions on the go
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- [usually before noun] (especially of a change in something) sudden, rapid and large
- a sharp drop in prices
- a sharp rise in crime
- a sharp increase in unemployment
- the sharp decline in the value of the pound against the dollar
- He heard a sharp intake of breath.
- We need to give young criminals a short, sharp shock (= a punishment that is very unpleasant for a short time).
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- [usually before noun] clear and definite
- a sharp outline
- The photograph is not very sharp (= there are no clear contrasts between areas of light and shade).
- She drew a sharp distinction between domestic and international politics.
- In sharp contrast to her mood, the clouds were breaking up to reveal a blue sky.
- The issue must be brought into sharper focus.
- The image looks very sharp and nicely detailed.
Extra Examples- The picture is surprisingly sharp and clear.
- The sky was dark, with only the outlines of dockside warehouses standing sharp on the skyline.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- look
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- as sharp as a razor
- (of people or their minds, eyes, etc.) quick to notice or understand things or to react
- to have sharp eyes
- a girl of sharp intelligence
- a sharp sense of humour
- He kept a sharp lookout for any strangers.
- It was very sharp of you to see that!
- Her mind was as sharp as a razor.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- seem
- stay
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- (of a person or what they say) critical or severe
- sharp criticism
- Emma has a sharp tongue (= she often speaks in an unpleasant or unkind way).
- sharp with somebody He was very sharp with me when I was late.
Extra Examples- Her voice sounded rather sharp.
- He has been exchanging sharp words with his architect.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- sound
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- with
- [usually before noun] loud, sudden and often high in tone
- She read out the list in sharp, clipped tones.
- There was a sharp knock on the door.
- (of a physical feeling or an emotion) very strong and sudden, often like being cut or badly hurt synonym intense
- He winced as a sharp pain shot through his leg.
- Polly felt a sharp pang of jealousy.
- changing direction suddenly
- a sharp bend in the road
- a sharp turn to the left
- strong and slightly bitter
- The cheese has a distinctively sharp taste.
Synonyms bitterbitterpungent ▪ sour ▪ acrid ▪ sharp ▪ acidThese words all describe a strong, unpleasant taste or smell.bitter (of a taste or smell) strong and usually unpleasant; (of food or drink) having a bitter taste.pungent (of a smell or taste) strong and usually unpleasant; (of food or smoke) having a pungent smell or taste:- the pungent smell of burning rubber
- Too much pulp produces a sour wine.
- acrid smoke from burning tyres
- The cheese has a distinctively sharp taste.
- a(n) bitter/pungent/sour/acrid/sharp/acid taste/flavour
- a(n) bitter/pungent/acrid/sharp/acid smell/odour
- a(n) bitter/sour/sharp/acid fruit
- pungent/sharp cheese
- pungent/acrid smoke
Extra Examples- Raw cranberries are extremely sharp and must always be cooked with a little sugar.
- The air had a sharp sooty smell.
- used to describe a very cold or very severe frost or wind see also razor-sharpOxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
- be
- sound
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- with
- (disapproving) (of a person or their way of doing business) clever but possibly dishonest
- His lawyer's a sharp operator.
- The firm had to face some sharp practice from competing companies.
- [usually before noun] (of clothes or the way somebody dresses) fashionable and new
- The consultants were a group of men in sharp suits.
- Todd is a sharp dresser.
- not full or round in shape
- a man with a thin face and sharp features (= a pointed nose and chin)
- used after the name of a note to mean a note a semitone higher
- the Piano Sonata in C sharp minor
- above the correct pitch (= how high or low a note sounds)
- That note sounded sharp.
edge/point
rise/drop/change
clear/definite
mind/eyes
critical
sounds
feeling
curves
taste/smell
frost/wind
clever and dishonest
clothes
face/features
in music
Word OriginOld English sc(e)arp, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch scherp and German scharf.
Idioms
See sharp in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee sharp in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishnot the sharpest knife in the drawer | not the sharpest tool in the box
- (informal, humorous) not intelligent
- He's not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer, is he?
the sharp end (of something)
- (British English, informal) the place or position of greatest difficulty or responsibility
- He started work at the sharp end of the business, as a salesman.
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