Illustrative Context

A sharp knife cuts better than a blunt one.

Target Sense

• The default term, typically adjectival, for the good cutting ability of a knife or other cutting blade. The basic antonym of blunt (used of blades predominantly in UK English) or dull (in US English).
• The target sense is that of cutting ability of a blade, not the piercing ability of a point. Some languages use the same basic lexeme as a cover term for both of these senses, e.g. English sharp itself. In other languages that have no single basic cover term, however, enter only the basic term for cutting ability. The target term in French, for example, is thus coupant, not pointu.
• The target sense is the literal one, as applied to the blade of a knife when cutting physical objects. In many languages, the same basic lexeme extends to other figurative senses, particularly to intensity of taste or pain, acuity of vision or intelligence, or precision. Do not, however, enter additional lexemes that are specific to such senses, e.g. English keen, which is now generally outdated in the literal sense of sharp.
• The term should be one from basic vocabulary, in a default, neutral register. Avoid technical terms.