1. (

• sharpen

) make sharp or sharper; "sharpen the knives" ;

2. (

• sharpen ,

) make crisp or more crisp and precise; "We had to sharpen our arguments" ;

3. (

• sharpen

) become sharp or sharper; "The debate sharpened" ;

4. (

• focus ,
• focalize ,
• focalise ,
• sharpen ,

) put (an image) into focus; "Please focus the image; we cannot enjoy the movie" ;

5. (

• sharpen

) make (images or sounds) sharp or sharper ;

6. (

• sharpen ,

) raise the pitch of (musical notes) ;

7. (

• sharpen ,
• taper ,
• point

) give a point to; "The candles are tapered" ;

8. (

• sharpen ,
• heighten ,

) make (one's senses) more acute; "This drug will sharpen your vision" ;