keep on
phrasal verb
kept on; keeping on; keeps on
1
informal
: to continue happening, doing something, working, etc.
The rain kept on throughout the day.
He talked and talked. At one point I thought he would keep on all night.
She kept on talking after I told her to be quiet.
2
: to continue to have (someone) as an employee
The chef was kept on even after the restaurant was sold.
Examples of keep on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While Wearing the Dreamiest Fall ’Fit 23/54 The Bouqs Co. Flower Subscription
Share a gift that’ll keep on giving while simultaneously livening up their space with fresh buds.
—
Nykia Spradley, Glamour, 20 Sep. 2023
An investigation into Hunter Biden had been run by the U.S. Attorney for Delaware, Trump appointee David Weiss, who Garland kept on to finish the probe and insulate it from claims of political interference.
—Time, 20 Sep. 2023
Sometimes Amazon is the gift that keeps on giving, and this sweater is a prime (pun intended) example of that.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
The avant garde collective remains fronted by ever-adventurous vocalist Mike Patton and kept on the rails by former Slayer time-keeper Dave Lombardo.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2023
Beyond the port change, there are not many standout features in the iPhone 15 worth an upgrade, and older iPhones will keep on charging with your existing cables for a long time.
—Geoffrey A. Fowler, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023
Price at time of publish: From $25 Cariuma Naioca Canvas Sneakers
View On Cariuma.com
A versatile pair of canvas sneakers is the gift that keeps on giving.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2023
Talk about a gift that keeps on giving. Price at time of publish: $18
LARQ Bottle Twist Top
View On Livelarq.com
Shopping for your colleague who never leaves their desk without an emotional support water bottle?
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2023
This would be a win that keeps on giving for the Tigers as the Seminoles enter ACC play and make a run at Clemson for the conference title.
—USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2023
See More
Nykia Spradley, Glamour, 20 Sep. 2023
An investigation into Hunter Biden had been run by the U.S. Attorney for Delaware, Trump appointee David Weiss, who Garland kept on to finish the probe and insulate it from claims of political interference.
—Time, 20 Sep. 2023
Sometimes Amazon is the gift that keeps on giving, and this sweater is a prime (pun intended) example of that.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
The avant garde collective remains fronted by ever-adventurous vocalist Mike Patton and kept on the rails by former Slayer time-keeper Dave Lombardo.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2023
Beyond the port change, there are not many standout features in the iPhone 15 worth an upgrade, and older iPhones will keep on charging with your existing cables for a long time.
—Geoffrey A. Fowler, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023
Price at time of publish: From $25 Cariuma Naioca Canvas Sneakers
View On Cariuma.com
A versatile pair of canvas sneakers is the gift that keeps on giving.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2023
Talk about a gift that keeps on giving. Price at time of publish: $18
LARQ Bottle Twist Top
View On Livelarq.com
Shopping for your colleague who never leaves their desk without an emotional support water bottle?
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2023
This would be a win that keeps on giving for the Tigers as the Seminoles enter ACC play and make a run at Clemson for the conference title.
—USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'keep on.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near keep on
Cite this Entry
“Keep on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep%20on. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on keep on
Nglish: Translation of keep on for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of keep on for Arabic Speakers
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