Topic: TEXTURES, SOUNDS
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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | scearp |
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sharp1 S3 W2
comparative sharper, superlative sharpest
comparative sharper, superlative sharpest1 having a very thin edge or point that can cut things easily [≠ blunt]: Make sure you use a good sharp knife.
able to cut easily
Make sure you use a good sharp knife.2 a sharp turn or bend changes direction suddenly : We came to a sharp bend in the road.
turn
We came to a sharp bend in the road.3 a sharp increase, rise, fall etc happens suddenly and is great in amount [= steep]: a sharp increase in prices a sharp fall in unemployment
increase/change
a sharp increase in pricesa sharp fall in unemployment4 sharp differences are very big and very noticeable : sharp differences of opinion There is a sharp distinction between domestic and international politics.
difference
sharp differences of opinionThere is a sharp distinction between domestic and international politics.5 a sharp pain or feeling is sudden and severe [≠ dull]: I felt a sharp pain in my back. I was left with a sharp sense of disappointment.
pain/feelings
I felt a sharp pain in my back.I was left with a sharp sense of disappointment.6 speaking in a way that shows you disapprove of something or are annoyed [≠ mild]: a sharp rebuke John's tone was sharp.
disapproving
a sharp rebukeJohn's tone was sharp. somebody has a sharp tongue (=they speak in a very disapproving way which often upsets people)
7 able to think and understand things very quickly, and not easily deceived [≠ dull, stupid]: a journalist with an extremely sharp mind
intelligent
a journalist with an extremely sharp mind8 to watch someone very carefully, especially because you do not trust them : Keep a sharp eye on the kids at all times!
keep a sharp eye on somebody
Keep a sharp eye on the kids at all times!9 having a very thin point that can draw an exact line [≠ blunt]: Make sure your pencils are sharp before we begin the test.
pencil
Make sure your pencils are sharp before we begin the test.10 a sharp sound or cry is loud, short, and sudden : a sharp cry of pain a sharp intake of breath
sound
CSa sharp cry of paina sharp intake of breath11 having a slightly bitter taste [≠ mild]: sharp cheddar cheese Add mustard to give the dressing a sharper taste.
taste
CTsharp cheddar cheeseAdd mustard to give the dressing a sharper taste.12 attractive and fashionable [= smart British English] Tod looked really sharp in his tux. a sharp suit
clothes
Tod looked really sharp in his tux.a sharp suit13 not rounded or curved : sharp features Her mother had a sharp little nose.
shape
sharp featuresHer mother had a sharp little nose.14 if an image or picture is sharp, you can see all the details very clearly [≠ fuzzy]: The outlines of the trees were sharp and clear.
image/picture
The outlines of the trees were sharp and clear.15 able to see and notice details very well
good at noticing things
sharp eye for detail (=the ability to notice and deal with details)
16
music
a) a musical note that is sharp has been raised by one semitone from the note F, D, C etc
F sharp/D sharp/C sharp etc
APMb) APM if music or singing is sharp, it is played or sung at a slightly higher pitch than it should be ➔ flat1 (9) ➔ natural1 (10)
18 behaviour, especially in business, that is dishonest but not illegal : He's been guilty of sharp practice in the past.
sharp practice
British EnglishHe's been guilty of sharp practice in the past.19 to experience the worst effects of something : We were always on the sharp end of clients' complaints.
be on the sharp end (of something)
British English informalWe were always on the sharp end of clients' complaints. —sharpness noun [uncountable]
➔ sharply