How to pronounce sharpen
Say it like SHAR-pun. Sharpen has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sharpen. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHAR
- pun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sharpen pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- punKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of sharpen
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SHAH-pun.
What does sharpen mean?
- To make sharp.“to sharpen a pencil or a knife or a musical note”
- To become sharp.
Where does sharpen come from?
From Middle English scharpenen, scharpnen, equivalent to sharp + -en.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with sharpen
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sharpen.
Questions about saying sharpen
How do you pronounce sharpen?
Say SHAR-pun. The American pronunciation is /ˈʃɑrpən/. In British English it is /ˈʃɑːpən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sharpen?
Sharpen has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHAR). Broken into parts: SHAR · pun.
Is sharpen 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 /ˈʃɑːpən/ (SHAH-pun).