verb
Uncommon
sharpen
SHAH-puhn
Sharpen (verb) means to make something sharp or sharper. Example: “He sharpened the axe before chopping the wood.”
verb
1
To make something sharp or sharper.
"He sharpened the axe before chopping the wood."
"You can sharpen your focus by removing distractions."
2
To become sharp or sharper.
"Her wit sharpened as she got older."
How to use sharpen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make (or become) sharper — literally, like a blade, or figuratively, like a skill or focus.
Common pairings
sharpen a knife
sharpen your skills
sharpen the focus
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- sharpens
- Past tense
- sharpened
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ the axe before chopping the wood.
Etymology
From Middle English scharpenen, formed from sharp plus the verb-forming suffix -en.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sharpen” mean?
The word “sharpen” means to make something sharp or sharper. In plain terms, to make (or become) sharper — literally, like a blade, or figuratively, like a skill or focus.
How do you pronounce “sharpen”?
“Sharpen” is pronounced SHAH-puhn (/ˈʃɑɹpən/ in IPA).
How do you use “sharpen” in a sentence?
Here is “sharpen” used in a sentence: “He sharpened the axe before chopping the wood.”
What is another word for “sharpen”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sharpen” include hone and whet.
What is the opposite of “sharpen”?
The opposite of “sharpen” — its antonyms — are blunt and blur.
What part of speech is “sharpen”?
“Sharpen” is a verb.
Where does the word “sharpen” come from?
The word “sharpen” comes from Middle English. From Middle English scharpenen, formed from sharp plus the verb-forming suffix -en.
Is “sharpen” a common word?
“Sharpen” is an uncommon word in modern English.
