What is sharp? Pronunciation and usage in English

sharp means . Learn how to pronounce and use sharp through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of sharp

sharpadjective

/ʃɑːp/
Definition & pronunciation of sharp

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "sharp" in English. Here's a breakdown with audio references if you want to hear it:

Phonetic Transcription: /ʃɑːrp/

Here's a step-by-step guide:

  1. "sh" sound: Start with the "sh" sound, like in "ship." It's a voiceless fricative.

  2. "a" sound: After the "sh," say the short "a" sound, as in "apple." It's a quick, unstressed vowel.

  3. "r" sound: This is a very important part! American English usually pronounces "sharp" with a rhotic "r" – meaning the "r" is pronounced. It's a slightly rolled "r," like in "red." (British English can sometimes drop the "r" in words like 'sharp', but we'll focus on the American pronunciation here.)

  4. "p" sound: Finally, say the "p" sound as in "pen."

Putting it all together:

It sounds like: "Shar-p" (with that quick, beat "p" at the end).

Resources to help you hear it:

To help me give you even more specific feedback, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (American English vs. British English can have slight differences.)

Usage and examples with the word sharp in English

Let's break down how to use the word "sharp" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here’s a breakdown grouped by category, with examples:

1. Keenness/Intelligence (Figurative - describing a person)

  • Meaning: Intelligent, perceptive, quick-witted, clever.
  • Usage: “She has a sharp mind and picks up on details others miss.” “He’s a sharp dresser – always impeccably dressed.” “Don't be so sharp, just relax!”
  • Synonyms: intelligent, astute, clever, bright, perceptive, quick-witted

2. Pointedness (Objects – things with points)

  • Meaning: Having a sharp, distinct point or edge.
  • Usage: “The knife was incredibly sharp.” “The pencils were sharpened to a sharp point.” “He used a sharp tool to cut the rope.”
  • Synonyms: pointed, keen, acute

3. Acidity/Taste (Food & Drink)

  • Meaning: Having a strong, pungent flavor; acidic.
  • Usage: “This cheese has a sharp flavor.” “The lemon juice added a sharp tang to the salad.” “He enjoys sharp cheddar cheese.”
  • Synonyms: tangy, acidic, pungent, biting

4. Clear/Distinct (Visual/Auditory)

  • Meaning: Distinct, clear, well-defined; able to see or hear clearly.
  • Usage: “The mountains were sharp against the sunset.” (meaning clearly defined) “He had a sharp hearing and could hear conversations from across the room.” “The image was sharp.”
  • Synonyms: clear, distinct, precise, defined

5. Prompt/On Time (Time)

  • Meaning: Done or happening quickly and efficiently; punctual.
  • Usage: “We need to be sharp if we want to catch the train.” “He was sharp with his responses to the questions.” (Meaning prompt and quick)
  • Synonyms: quick, prompt, timely, efficient

6. (Informal) Argumentative/Difficult (People)

  • Meaning: Argumentative, difficult to deal with, stubborn. – Often used negatively.
  • Usage: “He’s a sharp character – you have to be careful what you say to him.” (meaning he’ll argue with you) “Don’t get sharp with me!” (meaning don’t argue with me)
  • Synonyms: difficult, stubborn, argumentative, prickly

Important Notes & Nuances:

  • Adjective vs. Adverb: “Sharp” is almost always an adjective (describing a noun). You can use it as an adverb (describing a verb), but it's less common and usually means “quickly” or “promptly” (as in “He responded sharp”).

  • Context is Key: The exact meaning of “sharp” depends heavily on the context of the sentence.

  • Informal Usage: The "sharp character" meaning is quite informal and can sometimes be considered a slightly rude way to describe someone.

Let’s test your understanding! Could you give me a sentence using "sharp" in one of the ways we’ve discussed?

Synonyms for the word sharp

Idioms of the word sharp

not 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.

Practice with vocabulary sharp

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The CEO's decision to cut costs led to a ______ decline in quarterly profits.
  2. Her analytical skills are incredibly ______, allowing her to identify even subtle errors in complex reports.
  3. Despite the team's best efforts, the project faced a significant ______ in the final stages.
  4. The consultant provided a very ______ analysis of the market trends, leaving no ambiguity.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word best describes a sudden and significant change? a) gradual b) minor c) sharp d) steady

  2. Select all words that can describe a highly intelligent person's mind. a) keen b) astute c) sharp d) dull

  3. The speaker's ability to simplify complex ideas was quite ______, making her presentation highly effective. a) convoluted b) intricate c) incisive d) obscure

  4. Which of the following could describe a precise, cutting tool? a) blunt b) dull c) jagged d) sharp

  5. The new employee quickly grasped the complex software, demonstrating a remarkably ______ learning curve. a) steep b) flat c) gentle d) long

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. His critical thinking skills are exceptionally good at identifying flaws. Rewrite using "sharp" or a related word form:

  2. There was a sudden and considerable increase in the company's stock value yesterday. Rewrite using "sharp" or a related word form:

  3. The professor's explanation of quantum physics was remarkably clear and easy to understand. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (do not use "sharp"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. sharp
  2. sharp
  3. setback
  4. concise

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) sharp
  2. a) keen, b) astute, c) sharp
  3. c) incisive
  4. d) sharp
  5. a) steep

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. His critical thinking skills are exceptionally sharp at identifying flaws.
  2. There was a sharp increase in the company's stock value yesterday.
  3. The professor's explanation of quantum physics was remarkably lucid and easy to understand.

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