Word Explorer

Sharp

/ʃɑːp/

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.

📖 Definitions of "Sharp"

noun
  1. 1

    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 pitch pipe sounded out a perfect F♯ (F sharp)."

  2. 2

    A note that is played a semitone higher than usual; denoted by the name of the note that is followed by the symbol ♯.

  3. 3

    A note that is sharp in a particular key.

    "The piece was difficult to read after it had been transposed, since in the new key many notes were sharps."

  4. 4

    The scale having a particular sharp note as its tonic.

    "Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" is written in C♯ minor (C sharp minor.)"

verb
  1. 1

    To raise the pitch of a note half a step making a natural note a sharp.

    "That new musician must be tone deaf: he sharped half the notes of the song!"

  2. 2

    To play tricks in bargaining; to act the sharper.

  3. 3

    To sharpen.

adjective
  1. 1

    Terminating in a point or edge, especially one that can cut easily; not obtuse or rounded.

    "A face with sharp features"

  2. 2

    Intelligent.

    "My nephew is a sharp lad; he can count to 100 in six languages, and he's only five years old."

  3. 3

    Higher than usual by one semitone (denoted by the symbol ♯ after the name of the note).

  4. 4

    Higher in pitch than required.

    "The orchestra's third violin several times was sharp about an eighth of a tone."

adverb
  1. 1

    To a point or edge; piercingly; eagerly; sharply.

  2. 2

    (notcomp) Exactly.

    "I'll see you at twelve o'clock sharp."

  3. 3

    In a higher pitch than is correct or desirable.

    "I didn't enjoy the concert much because the tenor kept going sharp on the high notes."

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