sharply
/ˈʃɑɹpli/adverb
sharply is spelled S-H-A-R-P-L-Y: 7 letters and 2 syllables. It appears 7.8 times per million words in written English, the 8,417th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As an adverb, sharply means “So as to terminate in a sharp point or edge” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in sharply?
| Letters | 7: S-H-A-R-P-L-Y |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | 7.8 times per million words; the 8,417th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is sharply?
Sharply appears 7.8 times per million words in written English, the 8,417th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce sharply?
- US /ˈʃɑɹpli/
- UK /ˈʃɑːpli/
Sharply has 2 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-us-sharply.ogg, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of sharply
- sharplier comparative
- more sharply comparative
- sharpliest superlative
- most sharply superlative
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does sharply mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
adverb
- 1
So as to terminate in a sharp point or edge.
The stick was sharply tapered at one end.
- 2
Rapidly, abruptly.
When I touched the snake it recoiled sharply.
- 3
Suddenly and intensely like a gasp, but typically as the result of an emotional reaction.
- 4
Precisely, accurately.
a sharply focused essay
- 5
Quickly and alertly.
Jones, the centre forward, started the game sharply.
- 6
Of speech, sternly, harshly or critically.
When I asked her about her husband, she replied sharply that she had not seen him for several months.
- 7
Stylishly, smartly.
He was sharply dressed in an expensive suit.
- 8
So as to form a sharp, or tight, angle.
Turn sharply to the right.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Where does sharply come from?
From Middle English sharply, scharply, from Old English sċearplīċe (“sharply, smartly”), equivalent to sharp + -ly.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).