not sharp

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Having a dull edge or point; not able to cut or pierce easily.

   Grammar: Used after the verb be or before a noun: The knife is not sharp. / a not-sharp blade.

   Patterns

   • be not sharp
   • a not-sharp tool

   This knife is not sharp enough to cut the bread.

   The pencil is not sharp, so the line looks thick and messy.

   After years of use, the scissors became not sharp and tore the paper.

2. 2adjectivenot comparable

   Not strong or intense in taste, pain, or sound; mild or dull.

   Grammar: Used to describe sensations: a not-sharp pain, a not-sharp flavor.

   Patterns

   • be not sharp
   • a not-sharp taste

   The cheese has a not sharp flavor, so children usually like it.

   I felt a not sharp ache in my back after sitting all day.

   The sound was not sharp; it was soft and low.

3. 3adjectivenot comparabledisapproving

   Not quick to notice or understand things; not clever.

   Grammar: Often used of a person's mind or a comment: He is not sharp today.

   Patterns

   • be not sharp
   • not very sharp

   He was not sharp enough to see the trick in the question.

   Her memory is not sharp these days, so she writes everything down.

   That was a not sharp remark; it missed the main point.

Common combinations

not sharp enough

The knife is not sharp enough to slice tomatoes.

not sharp at all

The picture is not sharp at all; it looks blurry.

not sharp but dull

The pain was not sharp but dull, like a heavy weight.

not very sharp

The taste is not very sharp, so it suits mild dishes.

Synonyms and how they differ

blunt

Blunt is the usual word for a dull knife or pencil; 'not sharp' is a plain negative phrase and sounds less natural in this meaning.

dull

Dull can describe a dull edge or a dull pain; it is more concise than 'not sharp' and often preferred in writing.

mild

Mild is used for tastes and feelings that are not strong; 'not sharp' is a general negative that can sound awkward for food.

Opposites

Commonly confused: not sharp or sharp?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “not sharp”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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