sharpe: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal (as a surname), Informal (as a potential misspelling)
Quick answer
What does “sharpe” mean?
Proper noun and surname of English origin, most commonly associated with a person's name.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Proper noun and surname of English origin, most commonly associated with a person's name.
May occasionally be used as a misspelling or creative variation of the adjective "sharp".
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
None as a surname. As a potential misspelling of 'sharp', it is equally non-standard in both varieties.
Connotations
As a surname, may evoke associations with notable figures (e.g., historical figures, author Bernard Cornwell's character Richard Sharpe).
Frequency
Extremely rare outside of proper names. Not found as a standard lexical item in dictionaries.
Grammar
How to Use “sharpe” in a Sentence
Proper Noun: The Sharpe + VerbErroneous Adjective: Sharpe + NounVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sharpe” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- (Non-standard) The blade was incredibly sharpe.
American English
- (Non-standard) He made a sharpe right turn.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In finance, refers to the 'Sharpe ratio', a measure of risk-adjusted return.
Academic
Used as a surname in historical or biographical contexts.
Everyday
Virtually non-existent. If encountered, it is almost certainly a proper name or a spelling error.
Technical
Primarily in finance for the 'Sharpe ratio'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sharpe”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sharpe”
- Using 'Sharpe' as an adjective (e.g., 'This pencil is sharpe') instead of 'sharp'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not a standard lexical word. It is primarily a proper noun (surname). Any descriptive use is a misspelling of 'sharp'.
It is pronounced identically to the adjective 'sharp' (/ʃɑːp/ in RP, /ʃɑːrp/ in GenAm).
A financial metric developed by Nobel laureate William F. Sharpe, used to analyze the risk-adjusted return of an investment.
Always use 'sharp' for the adjective meaning having a keen edge or being perceptive. Use 'Sharpe' only when referring to a specific person or the financial ratio named after one.
Proper noun and surname of English origin, most commonly associated with a person's name.
Sharpe is usually formal (as a surname), informal (as a potential misspelling) in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Sharpe' as a name with an 'e' on the end, like 'James' or 'Kate'.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A as a proper noun.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common use of the form 'Sharpe'?