messerscharf

[ˈmɛsɐˌʃaʁf]

/[ˈmɛsɐˌʃaʁf]/ adj

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

The verdict

“messerscharf” is an uncommon German word, ranked #86,800 in German word frequency and used as an adjective.

#86,800
frequency rank, German
12
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - scharf, wie die Klinge eines Messers

Key facts for messerscharf
PropertyValue
Headwordmesserscharf
LanguageGerman
Part of speechAdjective
IPA[ˈmɛsɐˌʃaʁf]
Letters12
Frequency rank#86,800
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “messerscharf” sits in German frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). messerscharf lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The German entry for messerscharf is 12 letters long, classified as an adjective, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as [ˈmɛsɐˌʃaʁf]. Corpus data places it at rank #86,800 in overall German word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 2 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

messerscharf has no tracked misspelling variants, which points to an orthography that plays by predictable German rules. No confusable counterpart is on file for this word, which tends to mean the word is visually distinctive enough to stand on its own.

No documented word history exists for this headword, so its spelling is best read as a straightforward mapping from sound to letter. The correct German form is messerscharf, spelled M-E-S-S-E-R-S-C-H-A-R-F.

Definition

  1. 1
    scharf, wie die Klinge eines Messers
  2. 2
    mit einem schnellen, beweglichen Geist

Synonyms

scharfsinnig

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 German corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "messerscharf"?
"messerscharf" is spelled M-E-S-S-E-R-S-C-H-A-R-F. The IPA pronunciation is [ˈmɛsɐˌʃaʁf].
What does "messerscharf" mean?
As an adjective, "messerscharf" means: scharf, wie die Klinge eines Messers
How do you pronounce "messerscharf"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "messerscharf" is [ˈmɛsɐˌʃaʁf]. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What language does "messerscharf" come from?
"messerscharf" is a German word. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, and spelling data for this and other words across English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and German on PlainSpell.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “messerscharf”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct German spelling is M-E-S-S-E-R-S-C-H-A-R-F - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as [ˈmɛsɐˌʃaʁf] (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more German words and confusable pairs in the same reference. German words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list