How to pronounce sharp
Say it like SHARP. Sharp is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- SHARP
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sharp pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHARPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of sharp
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SHAHP.
What does sharp mean?
- Terminating in a point or edge, especially one that can cut or pierce easily; not dull, obtuse, or rounded.“I keep my knives sharp so that they don't slip unexpectedly while carving.”
- Intelligent.“My nephew is a sharp lad; he can count to 100 in six languages, and he's only five years old.”
- Raised by one semitone (denoted by the symbol ⟨♯⟩ after the name of the note).
- To a point or edge.
- Piercingly.
- Eagerly.
- 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 one chromatic semitone higher.“The pitch pipe sounded out a perfect F♯ (F sharp).”
- A note that is played one chromatic semitone higher than usual; denoted by the name of the note that is followed by the symbol ⟨♯⟩.
- 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.”
Where does sharp come from?
Cognate with West Frisian skerp, Low German scherp, scharp, schaarp, Dutch scherp, German scharf, Danish skarp.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with sharp
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sharp.
Words that sound like sharp
Questions about saying sharp
How do you pronounce sharp?
Say SHARP. The American pronunciation is /ʃɑrp/. In British English it is /ʃɑːp/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sharp?
Sharp is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SHARP.
Is sharp pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ʃɑːp/ (SHAHP).
What words sound the same as sharp?
Sharp sounds the same as sharpe in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.