Dictionary

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.

Example: The pitch pipe sounded out a perfect F♯ (F sharp).

A note that is played a 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.

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

The scale having a particular sharp note as its tonic.

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

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

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

To play tricks in bargaining; to act the sharper.

To sharpen.

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

Example: A face with sharp features

Intelligent.

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

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

Higher in pitch than required.

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

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

(notcomp) Exactly.

Example: I'll see you at twelve o'clock sharp.

In a higher pitch than is correct or desirable.

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