A1 noun Neutral

sharp

/ʃɑːrp/

In music, a sharp is a symbol (#) that tells a player to play a note one half-step higher. It also refers to the specific note that has been raised.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I see a sharp on the paper for this song.

I see a sharp on the paper for this song.

2

The composer included a sharp to change the mood of the melody.

The composer included a sharp to change the mood of the melody.

3

Don't forget to play that C as a sharp!

Don't forget to play that C as a sharp!

Word Family

Noun
sharp
Verb
sharpen
Adverb
sharply
Adjective
sharp
Related
sharpness
💡

Memory Tip

A 'sharp' needle points UP, so a sharp note goes UP in pitch.

Quick Quiz

If you see a # next to a note, it is a ____.

Correct!

The correct answer is: sharp

Examples

1

I see a sharp on the paper for this song.

everyday

I see a sharp on the paper for this song.

2

The composer included a sharp to change the mood of the melody.

formal

The composer included a sharp to change the mood of the melody.

3

Don't forget to play that C as a sharp!

informal

Don't forget to play that C as a sharp!

4

A sharp symbol indicates an increase in frequency by one semitone.

academic

A sharp symbol indicates an increase in frequency by one semitone.

5

The piano shop specializes in fixing keys like the F sharp.

business

The piano shop specializes in fixing keys like the F sharp.

Word Family

Noun
sharp
Verb
sharpen
Adverb
sharply
Adjective
sharp
Related
sharpness

Common Collocations

C sharp C sharp
F sharp F sharp
play a sharp play a sharp
sharp sign sharp sign
key of G sharp key of G sharp

Common Phrases

C-sharp minor

C-sharp minor

F-sharp major

F-sharp major

in sharps and flats

in sharps and flats

Often Confused With

sharp vs flat

A sharp makes a note higher, while a flat makes a note lower.

sharp vs hashtag

The symbol # is called a sharp in music but a hashtag on social media.

📝

Usage Notes

In written text, the word 'sharp' comes after the note name (C sharp). In musical scores, the symbol # is placed before the note.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often forget that a sharp applies to all the same notes in one bar of music.

💡

Memory Tip

A 'sharp' needle points UP, so a sharp note goes UP in pitch.

📖

Word Origin

From the Old English word 'scearp', meaning having a thin cutting edge; applied to music in the 1500s.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun (sharps) Used as a post-modifier for notes (F sharp)
🌍

Cultural Context

The sharp is essential to the Western 12-tone musical system used in most pop and classical music.

Quick Quiz

If you see a # next to a note, it is a ____.

Correct!

The correct answer is: sharp

More music words

melody

A1

A melody is a sequence of musical notes that are pleasant to listen to and form a main tune. It is the part of a song that people usually hum or sing along with.

note

A1

In music, a note is a single sound with a specific pitch and length. It also refers to the written symbol on a page that tells a musician which sound to play.

scale

A1

A musical scale is a set of musical notes ordered by pitch, going up or down in a specific pattern. It acts like a ladder of sounds that musicians use to create melodies and harmonies.

flat

A1

In music, a flat is a symbol (♭) that tells a musician to play a note a half-step lower than usual. It also describes a sound or voice that is slightly lower than the correct musical pitch.

beat

A1

The regular pulse or rhythm in a piece of music that you can clap your hands or tap your feet to. It is the basic unit of time in a song that helps musicians stay together.

bar

A1

In music, a bar is a short section of music that contains a specific number of beats. It is shown on paper by vertical lines that divide the musical staff into equal parts.

time signature

A1

A time signature is a set of two numbers at the beginning of a piece of music. It tells the musician how many beats are in each measure and which note value represents one beat.

instrument

A1

An object that is played to make musical sounds, such as a piano, guitar, or drum. It can also be a tool used by scientists or doctors to do very exact work.

violin

A1

A musical instrument with four strings that is held under the chin and played with a bow. It is known for its high-pitched, expressive sound and is used in many types of music, especially classical and folk.

viola

A1

A viola is a musical instrument with four strings that is held under the chin and played with a bow. It looks like a violin but is slightly larger and has a deeper, lower sound.

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