sharper: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, historical, or literary when referring to a trickster; neutral/technical when referring to a sharpening tool.
Quick answer
What does “sharper” mean?
A person, especially a cheater or trickster, who uses dishonest means to take advantage of others.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person, especially a cheater or trickster, who uses dishonest means to take advantage of others.
A skilled practitioner in a particular field (e.g., 'a political sharper'). More broadly, any object or person that sharpens or makes things sharp.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The 'swindler' sense is equally archaic in both varieties. The tool sense is technical jargon in both.
Connotations
In both varieties, the 'swindler' sense carries strong negative connotations of cunning and deceit. The tool sense is neutral.
Frequency
Very low frequency in modern general usage for the 'swindler' sense. The word is more likely encountered in classic literature or historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “sharper” in a Sentence
a sharper of [objects] (e.g., a sharper of cards)[Verb] a sharper (e.g., avoid, become, expose)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sharper” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The firm is looking to sharper its competitive edge in the European market.
- The debate sharpers one's understanding of the issues.
American English
- The company needs to sharper its focus on core products.
- Training will sharper your skills for the job.
adverb
British English
- The road turned sharper than we expected.
- He looked sharper at me, suspecting my motive.
American English
- The temperature dropped sharper last night.
- She spoke sharper to get her point across.
adjective
British English
- This new blade is significantly sharper than the old one.
- She has a sharper memory for faces than I do.
American English
- Be careful, that knife is much sharper now.
- His criticisms grew sharper as the meeting went on.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Could metaphorically describe an unscrupulous negotiator.
Academic
Used in historical, literary, or sociological studies of crime and deception.
Everyday
Extremely rare. 'Scammer' or 'con artist' are modern equivalents.
Technical
Can refer to a tool or machine part designed to sharpen blades (e.g., 'a knife sharper').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sharper”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sharper”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sharper”
- Using 'sharper' as the default comparative form of the adjective 'sharp' in all contexts (e.g., 'He is sharper than me' is correct, but 'He is a sharper' means he is a swindler).
- Assuming it is a common modern word for a clever person.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, as a noun meaning a swindler, it is archaic. It is used as the regular comparative form of the adjective 'sharp' (e.g., a sharper knife).
A 'sharper' implies a professional, cunning, and often elegant or sophisticated trickster, historically associated with gambling. 'Cheat' is a more general, modern term.
No, 'sharper' is not a standard verb. The verb form is 'sharpen'. Using 'sharper' as a verb is non-standard or poetic.
It derives from the adjective 'sharp', meaning quick-witted or keen, which developed a negative sense of 'dishonestly clever' in the 17th century. The '-er' agent suffix created 'sharper' for one who is sharp in this dishonest way.
A person, especially a cheater or trickster, who uses dishonest means to take advantage of others.
Sharper is usually formal, historical, or literary when referring to a trickster; neutral/technical when referring to a sharpening tool. in register.
Sharper: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃɑːpə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃɑːrpər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As sharp as a razor (though not containing 'sharper')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SHARP person with a SHARP mind who uses their intelligence in a dishonest way to take your money — a SHARPER.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTELLIGENCE/ALERTNESS IS SHARPNESS (positive) → DECEIT/TRICKERY IS SHARPNESS (negative, in this specific noun form).
Practice
Quiz
In modern English, the word 'sharper' as a noun is most likely to be found: