keen
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1keen
adjective \ˈkēn\Definition of KEEN
1
a : having a fine edge or point : sharp b : affecting one as if by cutting <keen sarcasm> c : pungent to the sense <a keen scent>
2
a (1) : showing a quick and ardent responsiveness : enthusiastic <a keen swimmer> (2) : eager <was keen to begin> b of emotion or feeling : intense <the keen delight in the chase — F. W. Maitland>
3
a : intellectually alert : having or characteristic of a quick penetrating mind <a keen student> <a keen awareness of the problem>; also : shrewdly astute b : sharply contested <keen debate> c : extremely sensitive in perception <keen eyes>
4
— keen·ly adverb
— keen·ness \ˈkēn-nəs\ noun
— keen on
: very enthusiastic or excited about <wasn't keen on going>
See Examples of KEEN
- She's a very keen observer of the political world.
- <pilots with especially keen eyesight>
- When you've been trying to remember something and you suddenly remember it, the mental pleasure is keen. —Ian Frazier, Atlantic, October 2004
- Indeed, tobacco processors were keen to promote variety even further by saturating and mixing the cut and spun leaf with a miscellany of spices… —Simon Schama, The Embarrassment of Riches, 1988
- But Mary wasn't keen on braving the Athens streets alone so Magnus went instead; Mary would do a museum in the morning. —John le Carré, A Perfect Spy, 1986
- That he took a keen interest in scientific navigation is indicated by his keeping a daybook or journal (which has not survived), and by making an honest effort to determine longitude. —Samuel Eliot Morison, The European Discovery of America, 1971
- The keen clear wind swept in on his left cheek, and as he bore on the helm so the Sophie answered, quicker and more nervous than he had expected. —Patrick O'Brian, Master and Commander, 1970
- Planting himself squarely before the two tall cowboys who were standing, he looked straight into their lean, bronzed faces. He spared a full moment for that keen cool gaze before he spoke. —Zane Grey, Desert Gold, 1913
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Origin of KEEN
Middle English kene brave, sharp, from Old English cēne brave; akin to Old High German kuoni brave
First Known Use: 13th century
2keen
noun \ˈkēn\Definition of KEEN
: a lamentation for the dead uttered in a loud wailing voice or sometimes in a wordless cry
Examples of KEEN
- <the loud keens of the widows were heard throughout the war-ravaged city>
Origin of KEEN
(see 1keen)
First Known Use: 1830
Related to KEEN
- Antonyms
- exultation, rejoicing
3keen
verb \ˈkēn\Definition of KEEN
intransitive verb
1
a : to make a loud and long cry of sorrow : to lament with a keen b : to make a sound suggestive of a loud cry of sorrow <a keening siren>
2
: to lament, mourn, or complain loudly
transitive verb
: to utter with a loud wailing voice or wordless cry
— keen·er noun
Examples of KEEN
- mourners keening at a funeral
- <victims of the disaster have been keening for weeks about the slowness of governmental aid>
Origin of KEEN
Irish caoinim I lament, weep
First Known Use: 1845
Related to KEEN
- Synonyms
- beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, complain, kick, kvetch, maunder [chiefly British], moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammer, yawp (or yaup), yowl
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