sharp-tongued

American

[shahrp-tuhngd] / ˈʃɑrpˈtʌŋd /

adjective

characterized by or given to harshness, bitterness, or sarcasm in speech.

sharp-tongued British

adjective

bitter or critical in speech; sarcastic

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of sharp-tongued

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

sharp-tongued

Tenacity, for her part, is a sharp-tongued Watson.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026

Bernice Black, a sharp-tongued restaurant critic for the Sentinel, a struggling newspaper, is meeting chef Laurent Tirel, her culinary mentor and friend, at his restaurant to plan her fiancé’s birthday party.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 19, 2026

In 1993, Kelly joined the cast of EastEnders as Nellie Ellis - the sharp-tongued relative of Pauline Fowler.

From BBC ● Feb. 4, 2026

Before he was a TV host or culinary demigod, Anthony Bourdain was a writer: sharp-tongued, sensual, and totally unafraid to follow a story wherever it led.

From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2025

Fred particularly liked Ethel, a sharp-tongued shih tzu.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023