adjective / noun
sharp
Higher in musical pitch than a reference note.
The violin's highest string is slightly sharp compared with the piano.
Etymology
Sharp has long contrasted with low or flat in describing sound. Musical usage fixes that heightened pitch as a note above the relevant reference.
More examples
- Your last note is sharp, so lower it a little.
- The melody moves from C to C sharp.
- This exercise alternates between naturals and sharps.
Forms
sharp · sharper · sharpest · sharps
Similar words
- high
- High describes pitch generally, not deviation from a reference.