What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
peaky
Example
She looked peaky after staying up all night. [peaky: adjective]
Example
The mountain had a peaky summit that was difficult to climb. [peaky: adjective]
Example
The excitement in the room reached a peaky level during the concert. [peaky: adverb]
sharp
Example
Be careful with that knife, it's very sharp. [sharp: adjective]
Example
He's a sharp guy, he always knows what to say. [sharp: adjective]
Example
The meeting starts at 2 pm sharp, don't be late. [sharp: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sharp is more commonly used than peaky in everyday language. Sharp is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while peaky is less common and has a narrower range of uses.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between peaky and sharp?
Both peaky and sharp can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, sharp is generally more versatile and can be used in more formal situations due to its positive connotations.