sharp

adjective

• 1(of an object) having an edge or point that is able to cut or pierce something:cut the cake with a very sharp knife keep tools sharp
• producing a sudden, piercing physical sensation or effect:I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my back
• (of a food, taste, or smell) acidic and intense:sharp goats' milk cheese
• (of a sound) sudden and penetrating:there was a sharp crack of thunder
• (of words or a speaker) intended or intending to criticize or hurt:she feared his sharp tongue
• (of an emotion or experience) felt acutely or intensely; painful:her sharp disappointment was tinged with embarrassment

• 2tapering to a point or edge:a sharp pencil her face was thin and her nose sharp
• distinct in outline or detail; clearly defined:the job was a sharp contrast from her past life the scene was as sharp and clear in his mind as a film
• informal (of clothes or their wearer) neat and stylish:they were greeted by a young man in a sharp suit

• 3(of an action or change) sudden and marked:there was a sharp increase in interest rates he heard her sharp intake of breath
• (of a bend, angle, or turn) making a sudden change of direction:a sharp turn in the river
• having or showing speed of perception, comprehension, or response:her sharp eyes missed nothing his old mind was not so sharp as it once was he had a sharp sense of humor
• quick to take advantage, especially in an unscrupulous or dishonest way:Paul’s a sharp operator

• 4(of musical sound) above true or normal pitch.
• [postpositive, in combination] (of a note) a semitone higher than a specified note:the song sits on E and F-sharp the quartet in C-sharp minor
• (of a key) having a sharp or sharps in the key signature:recorder players are most comfortable in sharp keys

adverb

• 1precisely (used after an expression of time):the meeting starts at 7:30 sharp

• 2in a sudden or abrupt way:the creek bent sharp left he was brought up sharp by Helen’s voice

• 3above the true or normal pitch of musical sound:he heard him playing a little sharp on the high notes

noun

• 1a musical note raised a semitone above natural pitch.
• the sign (♯) indicating this.

• 2a long, sharply pointed needle used for general sewing.
• (usually sharps) a thing with a sharp edge or point, such as a hypodermic needle, a blade, or a fragment of glass:the safe disposal of sharps and clinical waste

• 3 informal a swindler or cheat. See also card sharp.

verb

• 1 (usually as adjective sharped) Music, US raise the pitch of (a note).

• 2 archaic cheat or swindle (someone), especially at cards:the fellow is drunk, let’s sharp him

  [ late 17th century: from sharper; compare with shark²]