sharpen

[ shahr-puhn ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become sharp or sharper. sharp.

sharpen

/ ˈʃɑːpən /

verb

1. to make or become sharp or sharper
2. music to raise the pitch of (a note), esp by one chromatic semitone Usual US and Canadian wordsharp

Derived Forms

• ˈsharpener, noun

Other Words From

• sharpen·er noun
• pre·sharpen verb (used with object)
• re·sharpen verb
• un·sharpened adjective
• un·sharpen·ing adjective
• well-sharpened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sharpen¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; sharp, -en ¹

Example Sentences

Your best bet is sending knives made from more exotic blade steels off to their makers for sharpening by their in-house specialists.

From Outside Online

They all want to sharpen their knowledge of the latest greatest thing for employability.

From Search Engine Land

Small bone artifacts with sharpened tips unearthed in a Sri Lankan cave represent the earliest evidence of bow-and-arrow use outside Africa, says a team led by archaeologist Michelle Langley of Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia.

From Science News

These people left behind small, sharpened stones with pointed ends.

From Science News For Students

This will give you the feeling of “going to class” and help sharpen your focus.

From Science News For Students

Despite a dizzying number of women coming forward against her husband, Camille Cosby refuses to sharpen her blade of vengeance.

From The Daily Beast

It took practice for Hayes to sharpen his show, Riding the Midnight Express with Billy Hayes.

From The Daily Beast

And while technology can help sharpen the brain and calm the nerves, true mental health is much more holistic.

From The Daily Beast

Our feeble attempts to push back the Grim Reaper only sharpen its cruel bite, not dull it.

From The Daily Beast

You live, acquire wisdom, sharpen your own awareness, and pursue your understanding of a good and meaningful life.

From The Daily Beast

To do this it is necessary to slightly flatten all the fifths and sharpen the major thirds.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Blossom drew a jackknife from his pocket and began leisurely to sharpen a pencil.

From Project Gutenberg

Raf faced the misty figure, trying to force his memory to put features there, to sharpen outlines.

From Project Gutenberg

His calm, classic features began to whiten (and sharpen) in the frosty moonlight.

From Project Gutenberg

The subtleties of the trail sharpen both physical and mental sensibility.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• better
• enhance
• fine-tune
• improve
• perfect
• polish
• polish up