s-h-a-r-p
SHARP means having a fine cutting edge or point; intellectually acute and perceptive; or precisely defined. In music, it's a half-step higher in pitch. A versatile 5-letter word featuring the valuable H tile in Scrabble.
10
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
SHARP exemplifies how a single word can slice through multiple domains of meaning. At its most concrete, sharp describes objects with fine cutting edges or pointed tips—knives, needles, thorns—capable of piercing or dividing materials with minimal force. This physical sharpness depends on geometry: the thinner the edge, the greater the pressure concentration, enabling clean cuts through everything from paper to steel.
Beyond the tactile, "sharp" penetrates sensory experience. A sharp taste—like aged cheddar or pickled ginger—creates an intense, almost cutting sensation on the palate. Sharp sounds pierce the air with high frequencies that can make us wince. Sharp pains strike suddenly and intensely, like invisible needles. Even visual sharpness matters: sharp images have clear, well-defined edges, while sharp contrasts create dramatic visual impact.
In music, a sharp (♯) raises a note by one semitone (half-step), creating tension and brightness. C-sharp sits between C and D, adding chromatic color to melodies and harmonies. The sharp symbol itself resembles a hashtag, though it predates social media by centuries. Musicians must distinguish between enharmonic equivalents: C-sharp and D-flat sound identical on a piano but have different theoretical meanings.
Mental sharpness represents perhaps the word's most valued meaning. A sharp mind cuts through complexity, perceives hidden patterns, and responds with wit and precision. Sharp students grasp concepts quickly. Sharp critics identify flaws others miss. Sharp traders spot opportunities in milliseconds. This cognitive sharpness combines speed, accuracy, and insight—qualities increasingly prized in our information-dense world.
For Scrabble strategists, SHARP offers solid scoring through its 4-point H tile combined with common letters. The word's lack of duplicate letters maximizes board flexibility, while its familiar spelling reduces the risk of challenges. Extensions like SHARPEN, SHARPER, and SHARPLY provide additional scoring opportunities.
"Sharp" descends from Old English "scearp," meaning having a cutting edge or keen intelligence. This Germanic root (*skarpa-) connects to Old Norse "skarpr," Dutch "scherp," and German "scharf," all preserving both physical and mental meanings. The Proto-Indo-European root *(s)ker- meant "to cut," linking sharp to shear, score, and scar.
The word's semantic evolution reveals cultural values:
The musical sharp emerged from Italian Renaissance notation. Musicians needed symbols to indicate chromatic alterations, adopting ♯ (from Latin quadratum). English borrowed "sharp" rather than the Italian "diesis," preferring the familiar word that captured the note's "cutting" quality—how it seems to slice between natural tones.
Metaphorical extensions flourished in English. "Sharp tongue" (1530s) likened cutting words to blades. "Sharp dealer" (1690s) suggested someone who cut too close to dishonesty. "Look sharp!" (1711) meant stay alert. "Sharp as a tack" (1912) praised quick intelligence. Each usage preserves the core idea of penetrating keenness, whether physical, mental, or moral.
•The sharpest knife edge is only 3 nanometers thick—thinner than DNA
•F-sharp major has 6 sharps—the maximum before it's easier to use flats
•"Sharp" appears in over 200 English compound words and phrases
"The surgeon's scalpel was so sharp it could split a human hair lengthwise."
- Physical sharpness
"His sharp wit cut through the tension, making everyone laugh despite the gravity of the situation."
- Intellectual context
"The violinist played the F-sharp with perfect intonation, its brightness cutting through the orchestral texture."
- Musical context
Total base points: 10 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 1 | Consonants: 4
SHARP leverages the 4-point H tile effectively, combining it with common letters for reliable scoring and excellent extension potential.
• Base value: 10 points with valuable H and P tiles
• Extensions: SHARPS, SHARPEN, SHARPER, SHARPEST, SHARPLY
• Prefix options: UNSHARP, RESHARP
• Common pattern: -ARP words (HARP, CARP, WARP, TARP)
In Western music, a sharp (♯) raises a note by one semitone—the smallest interval in the chromatic scale. This creates notes that fall between the natural notes of the C major scale. The sharp symbol evolved from a squared B (B quadratum) used in medieval music notation.
Key signatures add sharps in a specific order following the circle of fifths:
Beyond seven sharps, it becomes more practical to use flat keys. C♯ major (7 sharps) is enharmonically equivalent to D♭ major (5 flats), making the latter easier to read.
Enharmonic Equivalents
C♯ = D♭, F♯ = G♭, etc. Same pitch, different notation
Double Sharps (𝄪)
Raises a note by two semitones (e.g., F𝄪 = G)
Natural Sign (♮)
Cancels a sharp or flat, returning to the natural note
Historical Tuning
Before equal temperament, C♯ and D♭ were actually different pitches
Cognitive sharpness encompasses multiple mental faculties working in concert. Like a well-honed blade, a sharp mind cuts through complexity with precision and speed. Neuroscientists identify key components:
How quickly information moves through neural networks
Ability to manipulate information in real-time
Identifying relationships and anomalies quickly
Switching between different mental frameworks
Research reveals specific practices that keep minds sharp:
Sharp thinkers exhibit distinctive patterns: They ask penetrating questions that reveal hidden assumptions. They make unexpected connections between disparate ideas. They quickly identify the crux of complex problems. They communicate with clarity and precision. This mental sharpness isn't fixed—it's a skill honed through deliberate practice and lifelong learning.
SHARP is the adjective meaning keen or pointed. SHARPE is a surname (like the TV detective). Don't add an E when playing Scrabble—SHARPE isn't valid.
The sharp symbol (♯) differs from hashtag (#) and number sign. In Unicode, musical sharp is U+266F. When handwriting, the vertical lines should slant slightly right.
Don't miss SHARPEN (12 pts base) if you can extend SHARP. Also watch for HARP within SHARP—sometimes playing the shorter
word on a premium square scores better.Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like SHARP