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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Sharp Meaning, Examples, and Common Usage (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：having a keen edge (sharp)

sharp 🔊

/ʃɑːrp/

adj.

Having a thin edge or fine point that can cut or pierce things easily.

Sharp knife slicing a tomato cleanly on a cutting board

having a keen edge 🔊

➕

/ˈhævɪŋ ə kiːn ɛdʒ/

adj.

Describes an object with a thin, refined edge or point that can easily cut or pierce materials.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'scearp', meaning 'having a keen edge'.

💡 Mnemonic

A shark's tooth is sharp. The word 'sh' + 'ark' = 'sharp' helps you remember.

📖 Example

Be careful with that knife, it's very sharp and can cut your finger easily. 🔊 Be careful with that knife, it's very sharp and can cut your finger easily.

🔗 Collocations

sharp blade – a blade that has a fine cutting edge

sharp knife – a knife that cuts easily

sharp edge – the thin, cutting part of an object

🔄 Synonyms

keen (adj.) – having a fine, sharp edge or point

acute (adj.) – having a sharp point or edge, especially of an angle

edged (adj.) – having a sharp cutting edge

🚫 Antonyms

dull (adj.) – not sharp; having a thick or blunt edge

blunt (adj.) – having a rounded or thick edge that does not cut easily

obtuse (adj.) – not sharp or pointed; also used for angles greater than 90 degrees

🌱 Derivatives

sharpen (v.) – to make something sharp or sharper

sharpener (n.) – a tool used to sharpen blades or pencils

sharpness (n.) – the quality of being sharp

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Proto-Germanic *skarpaz, related to Old High German scarpf. Extended from physical cutting to mental sharpness in Middle English.

Meaning 2：sudden and noticeable (sharp)

sharp 🔊

/ʃɑːrp/

adj.

Describing a change that happens suddenly and is very noticeable, like a steep line going up or down.

Sharp increase shown on a business chart screen

sudden and noticeable 🔊

➕

/ˈsʌdən ænd ˈnoʊtɪsəbəl/

adj.

Refers to a change or shift that is abrupt, severe, and clearly perceptible, often used in graphs, trends, or events.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The company's stock price took a sharp drop after the news report was released. 🔊 The company's stock price took a sharp drop after the news report was released.

🔗 Collocations

sharp increase – a sudden and large rise in value or amount

sharp decline – a sudden and significant decrease

sharp contrast – a clear and striking difference between two things

🔄 Synonyms

abrupt (adj.) – sudden and unexpected, often in a way that is noticeable

sudden (adj.) – happening quickly and without warning

steep (adj.) – rising or falling sharply, like a steep slope

🚫 Antonyms

gradual (adj.) – happening slowly over a long period, not suddenly

slow (adj.) – moving or changing at a low speed or rate

steady (adj.) – firm and regular, not subject to sudden changes

🌱 Derivatives

sharply (adv.) – in a sudden, noticeable, or severe manner

Meaning 3：mentally quick (sharp)

sharp 🔊

/ʃɑːrp/

adj.

Describing someone who is quick to notice and understand things or who is mentally agile.

Sharp student raising hand with light bulb idea

mentally quick 🔊

➕

/ˈmɛntəli kwɪk/

adj.

Describes a person who is quick to understand, notice details, or solve problems; mentally acute.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

My younger sister has a sharp mind; she always figures out the puzzle first. 🔊 My younger sister has a sharp mind; she always figures out the puzzle first.

🔗 Collocations

sharp mind – a mind that thinks quickly and clearly

sharp wit – the ability to make quick and clever remarks

sharp eyes – the ability to notice small details easily

🔄 Synonyms

clever (adj.) – having or showing the ability to learn and understand things quickly

bright (adj.) – intelligent and quick-witted

intelligent (adj.) – having a high level of mental ability

🚫 Antonyms

dull (adj.) – slow to understand or learn

stupid (adj.) – lacking intelligence or common sense

slow (adj.) – taking a long time to understand or react

🌱 Derivatives

sharpness (n.) – the quality of being mentally quick or perceptive

sharply (adv.) – in a mentally quick or perceptive manner