to sharpenverb/ɐfiˈlaɾ/mediuma·fi·larPortuguesEnglishEspanolFrancaisDefinitionTo make (a cutting object) thinner and sharper at the point or edge.I need to sharpen the knife before cutting the bread.He sharpens his pencils very carefully.synhonewhetantbluntCommon collocationssharpen a knifesharpen pencilsIdiomatic expressionssharpen one's claws (prepare to attack or defend)EtymologyDo latim 'affilare'.Related wordsafiadoafiadorafiladuraafiação