sharpen

verb
UK: /ˈʃɑːrpən/
US: /ˈʃɑːrpən/

  1. To make something have a sharp edge or point.

    1. I need to sharpen this pencil to write better.
    2. Before carving the wood, be sure to sharpen your knife carefully for safety.

  2. To improve or make something more effective, focused, or sensitive.

    1. Let's sharpen our skills before the next game.
    2. The debate helped sharpen my understanding of the complex political issues.

Synonyms

hone refine whet focus edge intensify improve
sharpen intransitive-verb

  1. To become or make something become sharper.

    1. The knife will sharpen with each use.
    2. His senses sharpen when he is in danger during hunting.
sharpen transitive-verb

  1. To make something have a sharp edge or point by grinding or cutting.

    1. He needs to sharpen the knife before he can cut the meat.
    2. The chef had to sharpen his knives before the dinner service began promptly.

  2. To improve, enhance, or intensify something.

    1. The crisis can sharpen the focus on what is truly essential.
    2. Working on new projects can sharpen your professional and technical abilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "sharpen" in English means: To make something have a sharp edge or point., To improve or make something more effective, focused, or sensitive..

The phonetic transcription of "sharpen" is /ˈʃɑːrpən/ in British English and /ˈʃɑːrpən/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "sharpen": hone, refine, whet, focus, edge, intensify, improve.

Example usage of "sharpen": "I need to sharpen this pencil to write better.". More examples on the page.