sharpen

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   To make a blade, tool, or point have a fine edge or a sharp tip.

   Grammar: Takes an object: sharpen the knife.

   Patterns

   • sharpen something
   • sharpen something with something

   I need to sharpen my kitchen knives; they can barely cut through a tomato.

   He sharpened the pencil with a small pocket knife.

   The gardener sharpened the shears before trimming the hedge.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To make a skill, sense, or mental ability stronger or more effective.

   Grammar: Often used with abstract nouns like skills, mind, or senses.

   Patterns

   • sharpen something
   • sharpen your skills
   • sharpen your mind

   Playing chess regularly can sharpen your problem-solving skills.

   The training course helped sharpen her ability to spot errors quickly.

   Reading in a foreign language sharpens your understanding of grammar.

3. 3verbintransitive

   To become sharper or more intense.

   Grammar: No object; often used for feelings or differences that increase.

   Patterns

   • something sharpens
   • sharpen into something

   The debate sharpened as the two candidates disagreed on taxes.

   Her appetite sharpened after the long walk.

   The wind sharpened as evening came on.

Word forms

Common combinations

sharpen a knife

You should sharpen a knife before you use it on tough meat.

sharpen your skills

She took an online course to sharpen her skills in data analysis.

sharpen your focus

A short break can help sharpen your focus for the afternoon.

sharpen a pencil

The child asked the teacher to sharpen a pencil for him.

sharpen the contrast

The new policy sharpened the contrast between the two parties.

Synonyms and how they differ

hone

Hone is more specific to making a blade extremely sharp, often with a fine stone; sharpen is the general word for any edge or point.

whet

Whet is mostly used for sharpening a blade or, figuratively, increasing appetite or curiosity; it is more literary than sharpen.

grind

Grind means to shape or sharpen by rubbing on a rough surface, often a wheel; sharpen is the result, not the method.

Opposites

Word family

sharpener noun

A device or tool used for sharpening, such as a pencil sharpener.

sharp adjective

Having a fine edge or point; also quick to notice or understand.

sharply adverb

In a sharp manner; suddenly or severely.

sharpness noun

The quality of being sharp, either physically or mentally.

Commonly confused: sharpen or sharpen vs. sharp?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “sharpen”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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