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.

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