schaerf
B2-C1Common in everyday, culinary, technical (optics, music), and figurative contexts. Neutral to formal depending on usage.
Definition
Meaning
Having a sharp edge or point; acute or intense in perception or effect; strongly flavoured with pungency or spice.
Describing something intellectually keen or incisive; a severe or harsh criticism; a visually striking or defined appearance (e.g., a sharp image); in music, a note raised by a semitone (#).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary physical sense ('sharp knife') is concrete. Figurative uses ('sharp mind', 'sharp criticism') are common and relate to the concept of penetrating acuity or severity. Culinary use ('sharp cheese') denotes pungency, not physical cutting ability.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use 'sharp' for physical objects, intellect, taste, and criticism. 'Sharp' as a noun for an expert (a 'card sharp') is slightly more archaic in both but understood.
Connotations
Identical core connotations. In fashion/style contexts, 'sharp dresser' is equally common in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparatively high and identical in frequency across contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be ~ (on sth)~ enough to INFkeep a ~ eye on~ at (doing) sth (e.g., sharp at spotting errors)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Look sharp!”
- “Sharp as a tack”
- “The sharp end (of sth)”
- “Short, sharp shock”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'The company reported a sharp decline in profits last quarter.'
Academic
'Her analysis provided a sharp critique of the prevailing theoretical model.'
Everyday
'Be careful, the scissors are very sharp.' / 'This cheddar has a lovely sharp taste.'
Technical
'The telescope provides a remarkably sharp image of distant galaxies.' / 'The note should be played as F sharp.'
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SHARK with a sharp fin (sounds like 'shark' + 'sharp').
Conceptual Metaphor
INTELLIGENCE/PERCEPTION IS A SHARP TOOL (e.g., 'sharp mind', 'keen intellect').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation for taste. Russian 'острый' covers 'sharp', 'spicy', and 'acute'. 'Sharp cheese' is *острый сыр* (pungent), not 'spicy cheese' in the pepper sense. For 'sharp turn', use 'крутой поворот', not 'острый'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'sharp' (pungent) with 'spicy' (hot from peppers). Saying 'a sharp flavour' for sweetness. Using 'sharp' to describe a person as physically thin instead of mentally acute ('She's very sharp').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'sharp' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, figuratively to describe intelligence ('sharp mind'), perception ('sharp eye'), or sometimes harsh speech ('sharp tongue'). It does not describe physical thinness.
'Sharp' is the most general and physical. 'Keen' often suggests eagerness alongside sharpness ('keen interest', 'keen blade'). 'Acute' is more formal and often used for senses, angles, or severe situations ('acute pain', 'acute angle').
Yes, for a strong, pungent, acidic, or tangy flavour (sharp cheese, sharp lemon), but not for the burning sensation of chilli peppers, which is 'spicy' or 'hot'.
It means exactly 3 o'clock, not a minute earlier or later. It emphasizes punctuality.