keener; keenest
1
: having or showing an ability to think clearly and to understand what is not obvious or simple about something
a keen intellect/intelligence/mind
She's a very keen observer of the political world.
She made some keen [=acute] observations.
a keen wit
2
: very strong and sensitive : highly developed
The dog has a keen sense of smell. = The dog has a keen nose.
keen [=acute] eyesight/hearing
She had a keen awareness of what was happening. [=she knew exactly what was happening]
She has a keen ear for languages. [=she is able to easily learn and understand languages]
He has a keen eye for details. [=he is good at noticing details]
3
a
: very excited about and interested in something
She's a keen tennis player. = She's keen about tennis.
He's a keen student of art history. = He has a keen interest in art history.
b
: feeling a strong and impatient desire to do something
He is keen [=eager] to learn more about art history.
4
: strong or intense
After his death, she felt a keen [=profound] sense of loss.
The two firms are in keen competition.
(chiefly Brit) a keen wind
5
informal + old-fashioned
: very good : wonderful
Gee, that's keen.
Note: This sense is now usually used in a playful or ironic way.
6
literary
: having a sharp edge or point
a keen knife/sword
7
British, of a price
: very low
They sell reliable products at very keen prices.
keens; keened; keening
old-fashioned + literary
: to make a loud and long cry of sorrow
mourners keening at a funeral
Cite this Entry
“Keen.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/keen. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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