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 of keeper

• custodian
• guardian
• guard
• warden

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

The Crisis Manager This is the keeper of all things calm, the soothing presence when things get a bit too much. — Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026

DeShields had 76 yards on 13 keepers, including a 7-yard touchdown scamper. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

Ultimately, Jenkins capped the drive with a 4-yard keeper, putting UCF ahead 34-27 with 33 seconds remaining in the third quarter. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026

Organic eggs come from hens fed organic feed instead of conventional feed that may contain grains treated with pesticides or synthetic fertilizers—or GMO grains, says Lisa Steele, fifth-generation chicken keeper. — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 20 Sep. 2026

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