Cool MateSharp vs Still sharp
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Sharp
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
Still sharp
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Sharp
| Sharp | Still sharp | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃɑːp/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃɑːrp/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //stɪl ʃɑːp//🇺🇸 //stɪl ʃɑrp// |
| Meaning | Having a thin edge or point that can cut things. | Not losing skills or abilities over time. |
| Example | The knife is sharp enough to cut through meat easily. | Even at 80, she is still sharp and solves puzzles effortlessly. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, as sharp as a razor, be, extremely, fairly, very, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, as sharp as a razor, be, seem, stay, extremely, fairly, very, be, sound, extremely, fairly, very, with, be, sound, extremely, fairly, very, with | still sharp mind, still sharp skills, still sharp wit |
| Antonyms | blunt, dull | dull, blunt, inept |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'sharper' as a noun instead of as an adjective., Used to describe something that is not related to cutting, like 'sharp' for taste., Incorrectly said as 'sharped' instead of just 'sharp'. | Confused with 'still' meaning 'not yet'., Using it inappropriately to describe objects that have lost their qualities. |
| Usage notes | Use 'sharp' when describing knives, tools, or things that can cut. Not typically used for emotional or social contexts, where 'sharp' might imply intelligence instead. | Use in contexts where persistence or continued ability is emphasized; avoid in very formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Sharp vs Still sharp
What's the difference between Sharp and Still sharp?
Sharp: Having a thin edge or point that can cut things. Still sharp: Not losing skills or abilities over time.
Which is more common: Sharp and Still sharp?
Sharp is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Sharp: The knife is sharp enough to cut through meat easily. Still sharp: Even at 80, she is still sharp and solves puzzles effortlessly.
Can I use Sharp and Still sharp interchangeably?
Not always. Sharp and Still sharp are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.