Sharp

Table of contents

1 English 1.1 Pronunciations 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 See also 1.3.2 Translations 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Translations

English

Pronunciations

• GenAm /ʃɑɹp/
• RP /ʃɑːp/

Etymology

Middle English scharp , from Old English scearp .

Adjective

sharp (sharper , sharpest )

1. Having the ability to cut easily.
2. Intelligent.
3. Having the ability to pierce easily.
4. (music) a note that is played a semitone higher than usual (denoted by the name of the note followed by the symbol ♯).
5. (music) the scale having a particular sharp note as its tonic

   The Moonlight Sonata is written in C♯ minor (C sharp minor)

6. Music higher-pitched than desired. (The oboe was an eighth of a tone sharp.)
7. Having an intense flavour. (sharp cheddar)
8. Intense and sudden. (a sharp pain)
9. Illegal or dishonest (sharp practice)

See also

• (music) accidental, flat, natural
• card sharp

Translations

• Catalan: esmolat (1), llest (2), punxegut (3), sostingut (4)
• Czech: ostrý (1,3), vysoký (4)
• Dutch: scherp (1), scherpe (1), scherpzinnig (2), scherpzinnige (2)
• Finnish: terävä (1, 2)
• French: coupant m (coupante f) (1), intelligent m (intelligente f) (2), pointu m (pointue f) (3), dièse m, f (4)
• German: scharf (1, 3), aufgeweckt (2), scharfsinnig (2), -is (4)
• Ido: akuta
• Irish: géar (1, 3)
• Romanian: ascuţit (1, 2, 3), diez (4)
• Russian: острый (1, 2)
• Swedish: skarp (1), skarpsinnig (2), vass (1, 3)
• Spanish: afilado (1), listo (2), puntiagudo (3), sostenido (4)

Noun

1. (music) 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.
2. something which is sharp (usually plural)

   Place sharps in a specially marked container for safe disposal.

Translations

• Dutch: kruis f
• German: Erhöhungszeichen n