sharp‧en /ˈʃɑːpən $ ˈʃɑːr-/
verb [
Word Family: noun:
sharpener,
sharpness,
sharp;
adverb:
sharp,
sharply,
sharpish;
verb:
sharpen;
adjective:
sharp]
1. [intransitive and transitive] to make something have a sharper edge or point, or to become sharper:
Anne sharpened her pencil and got out her homework.2. [transitive] to make a feeling stronger and more urgent:
A series of attacks have sharpened fears of more violence.3. [transitive] (
also sharpen something ↔ up) to improve something so that it is up to the necessary standard, quality etc:
The course will help students sharpen their writing skills. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲