Short vs. Sharp — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 14, 2023
"Short" generally refers to limited length or duration, while "sharp" often describes an object with a thin edge or fine point capable of cutting, or abrupt in manner or time.
Difference Between Short and Sharp
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Short" and "sharp" are both adjectives but typically describe different attributes. "Short" predominantly refers to the measurement of length or duration and suggests something is not long or is of limited extent. It can describe physical length, like the height of an object or person, or metaphorically represent a brief period or insufficiency. On the other hand, "sharp" primarily denotes an ability to cut or puncture, attributed to objects with fine points or thin edges. It can refer to physical sharpness or metaphorically describe acute angles, keen senses, or abrupt manners.
In applying "short," we may be speaking to the relative brevity or diminutive stature of an object, person, or time frame. For example, a short story conveys condensed narrative while a short person has lesser height. "Sharp," however, communicates precision and acuteness, as a sharp knife implies an ability to cut efficiently, and a sharp turn suggests a sudden, acute change in direction. These words, while distinct, can intersect when describing abruptness, as a short response can also be perceived as sharp if it's particularly succinct or curt.
"Short" might convey inadequacy or deficiency in contexts like short supply, reflecting scarcity or insufficiency. It may indicate the lesser end of a scale or spectrum, referring to length, duration, or quantity. Conversely, "sharp" might symbolize intensity or clarity, as sharp vision denotes clear, acute sight, and a sharp mind implies keen intellect and alertness. It may represent heightened sensitivity or awareness, relating to senses, intellect, or reactions.
The utility of "short" extends to depict succinctness or conciseness in expression or appearance, often implying effectiveness or preference for brevity. "Sharp," in its versatile applications, can represent abruptness or suddenness in changes or reactions, reflecting immediacy or briskness in occurrence or response. While "short" might emphasize limitation or reduction, "sharp" often highlights precision, acuteness, or suddenness in various contexts.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Limited in length or duration
Having a thin edge or point capable of cutting
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Typical Usage
Describes measurement of length or duration
Describes ability to cut or denotes acuteness or abruptness
Connotative Meaning
May convey inadequacy or brevity
May symbolize intensity, precision, or clarity
Contextual Application
Physical length, time duration, quantity
Physical sharpness, keen senses, abrupt manners
Experience or Perception
May be perceived as limited or concise
Perceived as precise, acute, or sudden
Compare with Definitions
Short
Short implies a lack or less than the usual or adequate amount.
We are short on time; we need to hurry.
Sharp
Sharp means having a thin edge or point that can cut or pierce something.
The sharp knife cut through the bread easily.
Short
Short can denote not reaching a desired or necessary standard or extent.
His jump was short of the mark.
Sharp
Sharp implies a high degree of clarity, resolution, or musical pitch.
The photo had sharp, clear details of the landscape.
Short
Measuring a small distance from end to end
Short dark hair
A short flight of steps
The bed was too short for him
Sharp
Sharp can describe being harsh or severe in manner or temper.
His sharp words stung her deeply.
Short
Lasting or taking a small amount of time
Visiting London for a short break
A short conversation
Sharp
Having a thin edge or a fine point suitable for or capable of cutting or piercing.
Short
Relatively small in extent
He wrote a short book
A short speech
Sharp
Having clear form and detail
A sharp photographic image.
Short
(of a vowel) categorized as short with regard to quality and length (e.g. in standard British English the vowel /ʊ/ in good is short as distinct from the long vowel /uː/ in food).
Sharp
Terminating in an edge or a point
Sharp angular cliffs.
A sharp nose.
Short
(of a person) terse; uncivil
He was often sharp and rather short with her
Sharp
Clearly and distinctly set forth
Sharp contrasts in behavior.
Short
(of odds or a chance) reflecting or representing a high level of probability
They have been backed at short odds to win thousands of pounds
Sharp
Abrupt or acute
A sharp drop.
A sharp turn.
Short
(of pastry) containing a high proportion of fat to flour and therefore crumbly.
Sharp
Intellectually penetrating; astute
Was sharp in his analysis of the problem.
Short
(chiefly in sport) at, to, or over a relatively small distance
You go deep and you go short
Sharp
Marked by keenness and accuracy of perception
Sharp hearing.
Short
A drink of spirits served in a small measure.
Sharp
Crafty or deceitful, as in business dealings
Sharp selling practices.
Short
A short film as opposed to a feature film.
Sharp
Vigilant; alert
Kept a sharp lookout for shoplifters.
Short
A short sound such as a short signal in Morse code or a short vowel or syllable
Her call was two longs and a short
Sharp
Briskly or keenly cold and cutting
A sharp wind.
Short
A short circuit.
Sharp
Harsh or biting in tone or character
Sharp criticism.
Short
A person who sells short.
Sharp
Fierce or impetuous; violent
A sharp temper.
A sharp assault.
Short
A mixture of bran and coarse flour.
Sharp
Intense; severe
A sharp pain.
Short
Short-circuit or cause to short-circuit
The electrical circuit had shorted out
If the contact terminals are shorted, the battery quickly overheats
Sharp
Sudden and shrill
A sharp whistle.
Short
Sell (stocks or other securities or commodities) in advance of acquiring them, with the aim of making a profit when the price falls
The rule prevents sellers from shorting a stock unless the last trade resulted in a price increase
Sharp
Sudden and brilliant or dazzling
A sharp flash of lightning.
Short
Having little length; not long.
Sharp
Strongly affecting the senses of smell and taste
A sharp pungent odor.
A sharp cheese.
Short
Having little height; not tall.
Sharp
Composed of hard angular particles
Sharp sand.
Short
Extending or traveling not far or not far enough
A short toss.
Sharp
Raised in pitch by a semitone.
Short
Lasting a brief time
A short holiday.
Sharp
Being above the proper pitch.
Short
Appearing to pass quickly
Finished the job in a few short months.
Sharp
Having the key signature in sharps.
Short
Not lengthy; succinct
Short and to the point.
Sharp
(Informal) Attractive or stylish
A sharp jacket.
Short
Rudely brief; abrupt
The owner was quite short with the new hire.
Sharp
In a sharp manner
Hit me sharp on the brow.
Short
Easily provoked; irascible
Has a short temper.
Sharp
Punctually; exactly
At three o'clock sharp.
Short
Inadequate; insufficient
Oil in short supply.
Were short on experience.
Sharp
(Music) Above the true or proper pitch.
Short
Lacking in length or amount
A board that is short two inches.
Sharp
A sign (♯) used to indicate that a note is to be raised by a semitone.
Short
Lacking in breadth or scope
A short view of the problem.
Sharp
A note that is raised a semitone.
Short
Deficient in retentiveness
A short memory.
Sharp
A slender sewing needle with a very fine point.
Short
Holding a trading position that is inversely related to the price of a security or index
Short investors.
An investor who is short gold.
Sharp
A hypodermic needle
A canister for disposing of used sharps.
Short
Of or relating to a short sale
A short position.
Sharp
An expert.
Short
Containing a large amount of shortening; flaky
A short pie crust.
Sharp
A shrewd cheater; a sharper.
Short
Not ductile; brittle
Short iron.
Sharp
To raise in pitch by a semitone.
Short
(Linguistics) Of, relating to, or being a speech sound of relatively brief duration, as the first vowel sound in the Latin word mălus, "evil," as compared with the same or a similar sound of relatively long duration, as the first vowel sound in the Latin word mālus, "apple tree."
Sharp
To play or sing above the proper pitch.
Short
(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being a vowel sound in English, such as the vowel sound (ă) in pat or () in put, that is descended from a vowel of brief duration.
Sharp
Terminating in a point or edge, especially one that can cut easily; not dull, obtuse, or rounded.
I keep my knives sharp so that they don't slip unexpectedly while carving.
Ernest made the pencil too sharp and accidentally stabbed himself with it.
A face with sharp features
Short
Being of relatively brief duration. Used of a syllable in quantitative prosody.
Sharp
(colloquial) Intelligent.
My nephew is a sharp lad; he can count to 100 in six languages, and he's only five years old.
Short
(Slang) Close to the end of a tour of military duty.
Sharp
(music) Higher than usual by one semitone (denoted by the symbol ♯ after the name of the note).
Short
Abruptly; quickly
Stop short.
Sharp
(music) Higher in pitch than required.
The orchestra's third violin several times was sharp about an eighth of a tone.
Short
In a rude or curt manner.
Sharp
Having an intense, acrid flavour.
Milly couldn't stand sharp cheeses when she was pregnant, because they made her nauseated.
Short
At a point before a given boundary, limit, or goal
A missile that landed short of the target.
Sharp
Sudden and intense.
A pregnant woman during labor normally experiences a number of sharp contractions.
Short
At a disadvantage
We were caught short by the sudden storm.
Sharp
(colloquial) Illegal or dishonest.
Michael had a number of sharp ventures that he kept off the books.
Short
By means of a short sale
Selling a commodity short.
Sharp
(colloquial) Keenly or unduly attentive to one's own interests; shrewd.
A sharp dealer;
A sharp customer
Short
(Linguistics) A short syllable, vowel, or consonant.
Sharp
Exact, precise, accurate; keen.
You'll need sharp aim to make that shot.
Short
A brief film; a short subject.
Sharp
Offensive, critical, or acrimonious.
Sharp criticism
When the two rivals met, first there were sharp words, and then a fight broke out.
Short
A size of clothing less long than the average for that size.
Sharp
(colloquial) Stylish or attractive.
You look so sharp in that tuxedo!
Short
Shorts Short pants extending to the knee or above.
Sharp
Observant; alert; acute.
Keep a sharp watch on the prisoners. I don't want them to escape!
Short
Shorts Undershorts.
Sharp
Forming a small angle; especially, forming an angle of less than ninety degrees.
Drive down Main for three quarters of a mile, then make a sharp right turn onto Pine.
Short
A short sale.
Sharp
Steep; precipitous; abrupt.
A sharp ascent or descent; a sharp turn or curve
Short
One that sells short.
Sharp
Said of as extreme a value as possible.
Sure, any planar graph can be five-colored. But that result is not sharp: in fact, any planar graph can be four-colored. That is sharp: the same can't be said for any lower number.
Short
Shorts A byproduct of wheat processing that consists of germ, bran, and coarse meal or flour.
Sharp
(chess) Tactical; risky.
Short
Shorts Clippings or trimmings that remain as byproducts in various manufacturing processes, often used to make an inferior variety of the product.
Sharp
Piercing; keen; severe; painful.
A sharp pain; the sharp and frosty winter air
Short
A short circuit.
Sharp
Eager or keen in pursuit; impatient for gratification.
A sharp appetite
Short
A malfunction caused by a short circuit.
Sharp
(obsolete) Fierce; ardent; fiery; violent; impetuous.
Short
(Baseball) A shortstop.
Sharp
Composed of hard, angular grains; gritty.
Short
To cause a short circuit in.
Sharp
Uttered in a whisper, or with the breath alone; aspirated; unvoiced.
Short
(Informal) To give (one) less than one is entitled to; shortchange.
Sharp
(obsolete) Hungry.
Short
To short-sell (a security or index).
Sharp
To a point or edge; piercingly; eagerly; sharply.
Short
To short-circuit.
Sharp
(notcomp) Exactly.
I'll see you at twelve o'clock sharp.
Short
Having a small distance from one end or edge to another, either horizontally or vertically.
Sharp
(music) In a higher pitch than is correct or desirable.
I didn't enjoy the concert much because the tenor kept going sharp on the high notes.
Short
(of a person) Of comparatively small height.
Sharp
(music) The symbol ♯, placed after the name of a note in the key signature or before a note on the staff to indicate that the note is to be played a semitone higher.
The pitch pipe sounded out a perfect F♯ (F sharp).
Transposition frequently is harder to read because of all the sharps and flats on the staff.
Short
Having little duration.
Our meeting was a short six minutes today. Every day for the past month it’s been at least twenty minutes long.
Sharp
(music) A note that is played a semitone higher than usual; denoted by the name of the note that is followed by the symbol ♯.
Short
(followed by for) Of a word or phrase, constituting an abbreviation (for another) or shortened form (of another).
"Phone" is short for "telephone" and "asap" short for "as soon as possible".
Sharp
(music) A note that is sharp in a particular key.
The piece was difficult to read after it had been transposed, since in the new key many notes were sharps.
Short
That is relatively close to the batsman.
Sharp
(music) The scale having a particular sharp note as its tonic.
Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" is written in C♯ minor (C sharp minor.)
Short
Bowled so that it bounces relatively far from the batsman.
Sharp
Something that is sharp.
Place sharps in the specially marked red container for safe disposal.
Short
That falls short of the green or the hole.
Sharp
(medicine) A hypodermic syringe.
Short
(gambling) Of betting odds, offering a small return for the money wagered.
Sharp
A scalpel or other edged instrument used in surgery.
Short
Brittle, crumbly. See shortbread, shortcake, shortcrust, shortening, hot short, cold-short.
Sharp
A sharp tool or weapon.
Short
Abrupt; brief; pointed; petulant.
He gave a short answer to the question.
Sharp
A dishonest person; a cheater.
The casino kept in the break room a set of pictures of known sharps for the bouncers to see.
This usage is often classified as variant spelling of shark, and unrelated to the 'pointed' or 'cutting' meanings of sharp.
Short
Limited in quantity; inadequate; insufficient; scanty.
A short supply of provisions
Sharp
Part of a stream where the water runs very rapidly.
Short
Insufficiently provided; inadequately supplied, especially with money; scantily furnished; lacking.
To be short of money
I'd lend you the cash but I'm a little short at present.
The cashier came up short ten dollars on his morning shift.
Sharp
A sewing needle with a very slender point, more pointed than a blunt or a between.
Short
Deficient; less; not coming up to a measure or standard.
An account which is short of the truth
Sharp
(in the plural) Fine particles of husk mixed with coarse particle of flour of cereals; middlings.
Short
(colloquial) Undiluted; neat.
Sharp
An expert.
Short
(obsolete) Not distant in time; near at hand.
Sharp
A sharpie member of Australian gangs of the 1960s and 1970s.
Short
(finance) Being in a financial investment position that is structured to be profitable if the price of the underlying security declines in the future.
Short position
I'm short in General Motors because I think their sales are plunging.
Sharp
(music) To raise the pitch of a note half a step making a natural note a sharp.
That new musician must be tone deaf: he sharped half the notes of the song!
Short
(by extension) Doubtful of, skeptical of.
Sharp
To play tricks in bargaining; to act the sharper.
Short
Of money: given in the fewest possible notes, i.e. those of the largest denomination.
Sharp
To sharpen.
Short
Abruptly, curtly, briefly.
They had to stop short to avoid hitting the dog in the street.
He cut me short repeatedly in the meeting.
The boss got a message and cut the meeting short.
Sharp
Having a very thin edge or fine point; of a nature to cut or pierce easily; not blunt or dull; keen.
He dies upon my scimeter's sharp point.
Short
Unawares.
The recent developments at work caught them short.
Sharp
Terminating in a point or edge; not obtuse or rounded; somewhat pointed or edged; peaked or ridged; as, a sharp hill; sharp features.
Short
Without achieving a goal or requirement.
His speech fell short of what was expected.
Sharp
Affecting the sense as if pointed or cutting, keen, penetrating, acute: to the taste or smell, pungent, acid, sour, as ammonia has a sharp taste and odor; to the hearing, piercing, shrill, as a sharp sound or voice; to the eye, instantaneously brilliant, dazzling, as a sharp flash.
Short
Relatively far from the batsman and hence bouncing higher than normal; opposite of full.
Sharp
High in pitch; acute; as, a sharp note or tone.
Short
(finance) With a negative ownership position.
We went short most finance companies in July.
Sharp
Very trying to the feelings; piercing; keen; severe; painful; distressing; as, sharp pain, weather; a sharp and frosty air.
Sharp misery had worn him to the bones.
The morning sharp and clear.
In sharpest perils faithful proved.
Short
A short circuit.
Sharp
Cutting in language or import; biting; sarcastic; cruel; harsh; rigorous; severe; as, a sharp rebuke.
To that place the sharp Athenian lawCan not pursue us.
Be thy words severe,Sharp as merits but the sword forbear.
Short
A short film.
Sharp
Of keen perception; quick to discern or distinguish; having nice discrimination; acute; penetrating; sagacious; clever; as, a sharp eye; sharp sight, hearing, or judgment.
Nothing makes men sharper . . . than want.
Many other things belong to the material world, wherein the sharpest philosophers have never ye arrived at clear and distinct ideas.
Short
A short version of a garment in a particular size.
38 short suits fit me right off the rack.
Do you have that size in a short?
Sharp
Eager in pursuit; keen in quest; impatient for gratification; keen; as, a sharp appetite.
Short
(baseball) A shortstop.
Jones smashes a grounder between third and short.
Sharp
Fierce; ardent; fiery; violent; impetuous.
A sharp assault already is begun.
Short
(finance) A short seller.
The market decline was terrible, but the shorts were buying champagne.
Sharp
Keenly or unduly attentive to one's own interest; close and exact in dealing; shrewd; as, a sharp dealer; a sharp customer.
The necessity of being so sharp and exacting.
Short
(finance) A short sale or short position.
He closed out his short at a modest loss after three months.
Sharp
Composed of hard, angular grains; gritty; as, sharp sand.
Short
A summary account.
Sharp
Steep; precipitous; abrupt; as, a sharp ascent or descent; a sharp turn or curve.
Short
(phonetics) A short sound, syllable, or vowel.
Sharp
Uttered in a whisper, or with the breath alone, without voice, as certain consonants, such as p, k, t, f; surd; nonvocal; aspirated.
Short
(programming) An integer variable having a smaller range than normal integers; usually two bytes long.
Sharp
To a point or edge; piercingly; eagerly; sharply.
The head [of a spear] full sharp yground.
You bite so sharp at reasons.
Short
An automobile; especially in crack shorts, to break into automobiles.
Sharp
Precisely; exactly; as, we shall start at ten o'clock sharp.
Short
(transitive) To cause a short circuit in (something).
Sharp
A sharp tool or weapon.
If butchers had but the manners to go to sharps, gentlemen would be contented with a rubber at cuffs.
Short
To short circuit.
Sharp
The character [$] used to indicate that the note before which it is placed is to be raised a half step, or semitone, in pitch.
Short
(transitive) To shortchange.
Sharp
A portion of a stream where the water runs very rapidly.
Short
To provide with a smaller than agreed or labeled amount.
This is the third time I’ve caught them shorting us.
Sharp
A sewing needle having a very slender point; a needle of the most pointed of the three grades, blunts, betweens, and sharps.
Short
To sell something, especially securities, that one does not own at the moment for delivery at a later date in hopes of profiting from a decline in the price; to sell short.
Sharp
Same as Middlings, 1.
Short
(obsolete) To shorten.
Sharp
An expert.
Short
Deficient in.
We are short a few men on the second shift.
He's short common sense.
Sharp
To sharpen.
Short
(finance) Having a negative position in.
I don’t want to be short the market going into the weekend.
Sharp
To raise above the proper pitch; to elevate the tone of; especially, to raise a half step, or semitone, above the natural tone.
Short
Not long; having brief length or linear extension; as, a short distance; a short piece of timber; a short flight.
The bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it.
Sharp
To play tricks in bargaining; to act the sharper.
Short
Not extended in time; having very limited duration; not protracted; as, short breath.
The life so short, the craft so long to learn.
To short absense I could yield.
Sharp
To sing above the proper pitch.
Short
Limited in quantity; inadequate; insufficient; scanty; as, a short supply of provisions, or of water.
Sharp
A musical notation indicating one half step higher than the note named
Short
Insufficiently provided; inadequately supplied; scantily furnished; lacking; not coming up to a resonable, or the ordinary, standard; - usually with of; as, to be short of money.
We shall be short in our provision.
Sharp
A long thin sewing needle with a sharp point
Short
Deficient; defective; imperfect; not coming up, as to a measure or standard; as, an account which is short of the trith.
Sharp
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined;
A sharp photographic image
The sharp crack of a twig
The crisp snap of dry leaves underfoot
Short
Not distant in time; near at hand.
Marinell was sore offendedThat his departure thence should be so short.
He commanded those who were appointed to attend him to be ready by a short day.
Sharp
Ending in a sharp point
Short
Limited in intellectual power or grasp; not comprehensive; narrow; not tenacious, as memory.
Their own short understandings reachNo farther than the present.
Sharp
Having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions;
An acute observer of politics and politicians
Incisive comments
Icy knifelike reasoning
As sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang
Penetrating insight
Frequent penetrative observations
Short
Less important, efficaceous, or powerful; not equal or equivalent; less (than); - with of.
Hardly anything short of an invasion could rouse them again to war.
Sharp
Marked by practical hardheaded intelligence;
A smart businessman
An astute tenant always reads the small print in a lease
He was too shrewd to go along with them on a road that could lead only to their overthrow
Short
Abrupt; brief; pointed; petulant; as, he gave a short answer to the question.
Sharp
Harsh;
Sharp criticism
A sharp-worded exchange
A tart remark
Short
Breaking or crumbling readily in the mouth; crisp; as, short pastry.
Sharp
High-pitched and sharp;
Piercing screams
A shrill whistle
Short
Brittle.
Sharp
Extremely steep;
An abrupt canyon
The precipitous rapids of the upper river
The precipitous hills of Chinese paintings
A sharp drop
Short
Not prolonged, or relatively less prolonged, in utterance; - opposed to long, and applied to vowels or to syllables. In English, the long and short of the same letter are not, in most cases, the long and short of the same sound; thus, the i in ill is the short sound, not of i in isle, but of ee in eel, and the e in pet is the short sound of a in pate, etc. See Quantity, and Guide to Pronunciation, 22, 30.
Sharp
Keenly and painfully felt; as if caused by a sharp edge or point;
A sharp pain
Sharp winds
Short
A summary account.
The short and the long is, our play is preferred.
Sharp
Very penetrating and clear and sharp in operation;
An incisive mind
A keen intelligence
Of sharp and active intellect
Short
The part of milled grain sifted out which is next finer than the bran.
The first remove above bran is shorts.
Sharp
Having or made by a thin edge or sharp point; suitable for cutting or piercing;
A sharp knife
A pencil with a sharp point
Short
Short, inferior hemp.
Sharp
Sour or bitter in taste
Short
Breeches; shortclothes.
Sharp
Raised in pitch by one chromatic semitone;
C sharp
B natural
Short
A short sound, syllable, or vowel.
If we compare the nearest conventional shorts and longs in English, as in "bit" and "beat," "not" and "naught," we find that the short vowels are generally wide, the long narrow, besides being generally diphthongic as well. Hence, originally short vowels can be lengthened and yet kept quite distinct from the original longs.
Sharp
Very sudden and in great amount or degree;
A sharp drop in the stock market
Short
In a short manner; briefly; limitedly; abruptly; quickly; as, to stop short in one's course; to turn short.
He was taken up very short, and adjudged corrigible for such presumptuous language.
Sharp
Quick and forceful;
A sharp blow
Short
To shorten.
Sharp
Changing suddenly in direction and degree;
The road twists sharply after the light
Turn sharp left here
Short
To fail; to decrease.
Sharp
Sharp denotes being acute in perception, intellect, or insight.
Her sharp mind solved the puzzle quickly.
Short
The location on a baseball field where the shortstop is stationed
Sharp
Sharp can refer to a sudden or abrupt change in direction or angle.
The car made a sharp turn to avoid the obstacle.
Short
Accidental contact between two points in an electric circuit that have a potential difference
Short
The fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed between 2nd and 3rd base
Short
Cheat someone by not returning him enough money
Short
Create a short-circuit in
Short
Primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration;
A short life
A short flight
A short holiday
A short story
Only a few short months
Short
Primarily spatial sense; having little length or lacking in length;
Short skirts
Short hair
The board was a foot short
A short toss
Short
Low in stature; not tall;
His was short and stocky
Short in stature
A short smokestack
Short
Not sufficient to meet a need;
An inadequate income
A poor salary
Money is short
On short rations
Food is in short supply
Short on experience
Short
Not holding securities or commodities that one sells in expectation of a fall in prices;
A short sale
Short in cotton
Short
Of speech sounds (especially vowels) of relatively short duration (as e.g. the English vowel sounds in `pat', `pet', `pit', `pot', putt')
Short
Containing a large amount of shortening; therefore tender and easy to crumble or break into flakes;
Shortbread is a short crumbly cookie
A short flaky pie crust
Short
Less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so;
A light pound
A scant cup of sugar
Regularly gives short weight
Short
Used of syllables that are unaccented or of relatively brief duration
Short
(of memory) deficient in retentiveness or range;
A short memory
Short
Lacking foresight or scope;
A short view of the problem
Shortsighted policies
Shortsighted critics derided the plan
Myopic thinking
Short
Unwilling to endure;
She was short with the slower students
Short
Quickly aroused to anger;
A hotheaded commander
Short
Most direct;
Took the shortest and most direct route to town
Short
Marked by rude or peremptory shortness;
Try to cultivate a less brusque manner
A curt reply
The salesgirl was very short with him
Short
Quickly and without warning;
He stopped suddenly
Short
Without possessing something at the time it is contractually sold;
He made his fortune by selling short just before the crash
Short
Clean across;
The car's axle snapped short
Short
At some point or distance before a goal is reached;
He fell short of our expectations
Short
So as to interrupt;
She took him up short before he could continue
Short
At a disadvantage;
I was caught short
Short
Tightly;
She caught him up short on his lapel
Short
In a curt, abrupt and discourteous manner;
He told me curtly to get on with it
He talked short with everyone
He said shortly that he didn't like it
Short
Short refers to having little length; not long.
The short path led directly to the pond.
Short
Short can mean lasting a very brief time; abrupt.
There was a short pause before the announcement.
Short
Short represents a concise expression or form.
Please keep your answers short and to the point.
Common Curiosities
Can "short" imply a lack or deficiency?
Yes, "short" can imply a lack or less than the usual or adequate amount in various contexts.
What does "short" primarily describe?
"Short" primarily describes something with limited length or duration.
Can "short" describe time?
Yes, "short" can describe the brevity or limited duration of time.
Can "sharp" be used to describe a sudden change?
Absolutely, "sharp" can denote a sudden or abrupt change in direction or condition.
Can "sharp" refer to non-physical qualities?
Yes, "sharp" can describe intellectual acuity or abrupt mannerisms, not just physical edges or points.
Can "short" and "sharp" intersect in describing abruptness?
Yes, a response, for instance, can be both "short" (concise) and "sharp" (abrupt or curt) in nature.
Can "sharp" imply clarity or resolution?
Yes, "sharp" can imply a high degree of clarity or resolution in images or sounds.
Can "short" represent a concise form of expression?
Yes, "short" can represent succinctness or conciseness in expression or appearance.
Can "sharp" represent precision or acuteness?
Yes, "sharp" often represents precision, acuteness, or keenness in various contexts.
Does "sharp" only describe objects with cutting edges?
No, "sharp" has versatile applications, including describing keen senses, abrupt changes, or clear perceptions, beyond just cutting edges.
Can "short" describe both physical length and conceptual brevity?
Absolutely, "short" can describe physical length, duration of time, or conceptual brevity.
Does "sharp" always denote severity or harshness?
Not always; while "sharp" can describe harsh or severe manners, it also has applications denoting precision, acuity, or abruptness without a negative connotation.
Does "short" always imply inadequacy?
No, "short" describes limited length or duration but doesn’t inherently imply inadequacy in all contexts.
Can "short" convey effectiveness in brevity?
Yes, "short" can convey the effectiveness or preference for brevity in various contexts.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
