Sharp has 21 different meanings across 4 categories:
Noun · Adjective · Adverb · Proper Noun
a musical notation indicating one half step higher than the note named
"The conductor raised his baton to signal that the violinist should play an F-sharp instead of the written F-natural."
a long thin sewing needle with a sharp point
"She carefully threaded the sharp through the tiny hole in her fabric to stitch the button back on."
The symbol ♯, placed after the name of a note in the key signature or before a note on the staff to indicate that the note is to be played a semitone higher.
"The community center launched a new initiative called SARP to promote unity and fight discrimination among youth."
Acronym of skinhead against racial prejudice.
In plain English: A sharp is a person who is very good at getting money or advantages for themselves without being fair to others.
"The sharp caught on his jeans when he pulled them up."
Usage: Use this acronym only in specific sociological or activist contexts where it refers to a subgroup within the skinhead movement opposed to racism. In general conversation, reserve the word "sharp" for its common meanings related to edges, intelligence, or suddenness.
To raise the pitch of a note half a step making a natural note a sharp.
"The conductor raised his baton to indicate that the orchestra should play an F-sharp instead of the written F-natural, instantly raising the pitch by a half step."
In plain English: To sharp something means to make its edge thin and hard so it can cut well.
"He sharpened his pencil before starting to write."
Usage: As a verb, to sharpen means to make something sharper or more acute in quality, such as honing a blade or focusing one's mind. Do not use it to describe raising the pitch of a musical note, which is specifically called to sharpen in music theory but functions differently from the general act of making an object or concept sharper.
ending in a sharp point
"The chef carefully sharpened his knife to ensure it had a perfectly sharp point for slicing tomatoes."
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
"an acute observer of politics and politicians"
"incisive comments"
"icy knifelike reasoning"
"as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang"
"penetrating insight"
"frequent penetrative observations"
extremely steep
"an abrupt canyon"
"the precipitous rapids of the upper river"
"the precipitous hills of Chinese paintings"
"a sharp drop"
having or made by a thin edge or sharp point; suitable for cutting or piercing
"a sharp knife"
"a pencil with a sharp point"
Terminating in a point or edge, especially one that can cut easily; not obtuse or rounded.
"She kept her pocketknife sharp enough to slice through leather effortlessly."
In plain English: Sharp means very clear and distinct, like when you can hear a sound perfectly without it being muffled.
Usage: Use "sharp" to describe objects with a fine point or thin edge capable of cutting, such as knives or pencils. Avoid using it for general angles unless specifically referring to acute versus obtuse geometry.
To a point or edge; piercingly; eagerly; sharply.
"He held the knife so that its sharp edge could easily slice through the bread."
In plain English: Sharp means doing something quickly and with great precision.
"She turned the corner sharply to avoid hitting the parked car."
Usage: Use "sharply" to describe an action performed with sudden intensity, such as turning quickly or criticizing harshly. Avoid using it to mean physically pointed, as that requires the adjective form.
A surname.
"The new principal, Mr. Sharp, is very strict about attendance at the school."
The word sharp comes from Old English sċearp, which traces its roots back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to cut." It has maintained this original sense of being keen or cutting throughout its history in the English language.