sharply

Sharply is an adverb formed from the adjective sharp. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate manner, degree, or contrast, often signaling abruptness, severity, clarity, or precision.

Common uses include describing movement or change, tone, and appearance. For movement or change, one might say the road bends sharply to the left, or prices rose sharply, indicating a quick or pronounced shift. In describing speech or behavior, phrases like spoke sharply or gave a sharply worded rebuke convey a stern or forceful tone. When describing appearance or style, sharply can modify past participles or adjectives, as in a sharply dressed outfit.

Etymology traces sharply to the adjective sharp, which comes from Old English scærp, meaning keen or having a keen edge. The adverbial form emerged by adding the suffix -ly to convey manner or degree. The word has been in English for many centuries and remains common in both spoken and written language.

Usage notes: sharply often implies a precise, crisp, or abrupt sense of intensity. It tends to contrast with more gradual or gentle qualifiers such as slightly, gradually, or softly. In analysis or reporting, it foregrounds a clear deviation or notable intensity, as in “sharply higher,” “sharply declined,” or “sharply reduced.” It is versatile across domains, including journalism, economics, and everyday description.

Related terms include sharp (the base adjective), sharpness (the quality of being sharp), and sharply defined or sharply contrasted phrases, which extend the idea of clear delineation or precision.