keeper

noun

keep·​er ˈkē-pər 

1

: one that keeps: such as

a

: protector

b

: gamekeeper

c

: warden

d

: custodian

e

chiefly British : curator

2

: any of various devices for keeping something in position

3

a

: one suitable for or worth keeping: such as

(1)

: a fruit or vegetable that keeps well

(2)

: a fish large enough to be legally caught and kept

(3)

: one having genuine or lasting merit

their new album is a keeper

b

: a domestic animal considered with respect to how easy it is to care for

an easy keeper

4

: goalkeeper

5

: an offensive football play in which the quarterback runs with the ball

Synonyms

• custodian
• guard
• guardian
• lookout
• minder
• picket
• sentinel
• sentry
• warden
• warder
• watch
• watcher
• watchman

Examples of keeper in a Sentence

Hold on to that boyfriend of yours—he's a keeper!

how should I know where she is? I'm not her keeper

Recent Examples on the Web

Isabella’s a keeper with an assistant-manager title in the near future. —Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025

Callender was back in his usual role as Inter Miami’s starting keeper on Sunday night against Toronto FC at Chase Stadium. —Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025

Wyatt Kaiser is 22 and looks like a keeper. —Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025

The mountains are peopled with guides, trail keepers and fellow travelers, as well as those who have died on their treks when the weather turned. —Sadie Stein, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing keeper

• park-keeper

Rhymes for keeper

• beeper
• cheaper
• creeper
• deeper
• reaper
• sleeper
• steeper
• sweeper
• beekeeper
• bookkeeper
• doorkeeper
• gamekeeper

Kids Definition

keeper

noun

keep·​er ˈkē-pər 

: one that keeps

they are keepers of their word

especially : a person who watches, guards, or takes care of something or someone

the keeper of a shop

Legal Definition

keeper

noun

keep·​er

: one that takes care of and often is legally responsible for something

a dog's keeper

a keeper of the property