How to Pronounce Sharp

To pronounce "sharp", say SHARP — one syllable, IPA /ʃɑːp/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

sharp

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Accent

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1

Syllable

5

Letters

/ʃɑːp/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “sharp”

"sharp" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with carp and scarp, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: sharpe, scharp — easy to mix up when writing.

What does sharp mean?

noun

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

verb

  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. To play tricks in bargaining; to act the sharper.

adjective

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

    “A face with sharp features”

  2. Intelligent.

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

Synonyms

keenrazorrazor-sharppointedaccurateexactprecise

Antonyms

bluntdullimpreciseinaccuratecomplimentary

Hear “sharp” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with sharp

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

carpscarptarpsharpegarpcarpeflarpscharparp

Related words

sharpenedpointedacuateedgedcuttingpiercingstabbingknifelike

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "sharp"?▾

"Sharp" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "sharp"?▾

The IPA transcription of "sharp" is /ʃɑːp/.

What does "sharp" mean?▾

Sharp: 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.

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