Do you know the definition of keen? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word keen, including its definition, usage, word origin, and more!
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August 26, 2021 -
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What does the word keen mean?
According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language as well as other English dictionaries like Collins English Dictionary and American Heritage, the word keen is an adjective that means eager, enthusiastic, intellectually acute, fond of, devoted to, have a strong feeling or sharp cutting edge, intense or strong. Many things can be keen, including keen wind, a keen sense of smell, a keen mind, keen satire, keen competition, keen wit, a keen knife, keen desire, keen ears, a keen razor, keen jealousy, keen talent, a keen blade, keen reasoning, keen ambition, keen sarcasm, a keen passion, keen intelligence, a keen student, a keen tennis player, and more. One can add ly to the end of keen to form keenly (adv.), ness to form keenness (n.) or er and est to form the superlatives keener and keenest.
Many different languages also use words that mean keen. You may notice that some of these words look similar to one another. This is probably due to the fact that they share a common origin. Oftentimes, words that have a shared root language such as Latin or Greek will look, sound, and mean similar things. These are called cognates. This list of translations for the word keen is provided by Word Sense.
- Kyrgyz: курч, кескин, катуу, курч
- Catalan: entusiasta
- Italian: propenso, incline, entusiasta, pronto, desideroso, voglioso, disposto, intenzionato, preparato
- Occitan: afogat, entosiasta, estrambordat
- Russian: проница́тельный, сообрази́тельный
- Bokmål: ivrig
- Spanish: entusiasta (masc.), con perspicaz (fem.), fijo
- Macedonian: расположен (masc.)
- German: begeistert, eifrig, heftig, kühn, scharf
- Turkish: düşkün, hevesli, istekli
- Scottish Gaelic: èasgaidh
- Nynorsk: ivrig
How can the word keen be used in a sentence?
The word keen can be used in many different ways in the English language. Using words in a sentence is a great way to memorize their definition. You can also try making flashcards or quizzes for yourself to test your knowledge of the definitions of different words. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today! Below are several examples of keen to get you started.
The man gave a prolonged wail when he learned that the deceased person was keen on him. He had been in love with the person for many years, and never had the courage to express it before their untimely death.
Her keen mind granted her access to any Ivy League university she desired. She settled on Princeton University because they gave her an outstanding scholarship and research grant money.
The Brit crafted a knife with a keen, fine edge. He embossed fine distinctions into the decorative handle and sold it for a hefty price.
What is the origin of the word keen?
According to Etymonline, the word keen has been used since the year 1200 and comes from the Middle English kene and Old English cene/Old English cēne. This comes from a Germanic root and is a cognate for the Old Norse kænn//Old Norse kœnn/Old Norse koenn wise, Middle Dutch coene, Dutch koen, Old High German kuon, German kühn, Irish caoine, Old Irish coīnim/caonim/coínim, Irish Gaelic caoine, Old Irish caínim, Irish Gaelic caoineadh, and other words of Brittonic origin.
What are synonyms and antonyms of keen?
There are many different words that someone can use in place of the word keen. These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same definition as another word or phrase. Synonyms are useful to know if you are trying to avoid repeating yourself as well as if you are looking to expand your English language vocabulary. This list of synonyms for the word keen is provided by Power Thesaurus.
- strong
- terrific
- peachy
- hot
- bitter
- cracking
- ready
- insightful
- groovy
- discriminating
- cutting
- quick
- intelligent
- perceptive
- active
- incisive
- penetrating
- agog
- intent
- hungry
- raring
- bully
- profound
- interested
- biting
- moan
- zealous
- smart
- sagacious
- nifty
- shrewd
- fanatical
- blubber
- intense
- cold
- excited
- smashing
- alert
- exquisite
- passionate
- quality
- canny
- observant
- penetrative
- impassioned
- caustic
- devoted
- sensitive
- earnest
- anxious
- committed
- desirous
- acute
- clever
- impatient
- fervent
- fierce
- ardent
- sharpened
- not bad
- weep
- bang-up
- grieve
- lament
- stabbing
- eager
- enthusiastic
- freezing
- dedicated
- vehement
- knifelike
- quick-witted
- bright
- fervid
- severe
- corking
- piercing
- great
- swell
- pointed
- mourn
- deep
- trenchant
- sharp
- astute
- brisk
- fine
- dandy
- percipient
- neat
- wise
- wail
- perspicacious
- avid
- brilliant
- discerning
- slap-up
- fabulous
- splendid
- razor-sharp
There are also many different words that have the opposite meaning of the word keen. These opposite words are known as antonyms, and are also useful to know if you are trying to expand your vocabulary. This list of antonyms for the word keen is also provided by Power Thesaurus.
- slow
- indolent
- mediocre
- reluctant
- apathetic about
- unenthusiastic
- shiftless
- lazy
- uninvolved in
- silly
- unenthusiastic about
- opaque
- bad
- torpid
- slack
- unconcerned
- sluggish
- ignorant
- obtuse
- apathetic
- awful
- negligent
- languorous
- idiotic
- unconcerned about
- uninterested
- nostalgic
- low-grade
- dispassionate
- languid
- dumb
- careless
- mindless
- bone idle
- nonchalant
- disinterested
- subpar
- stolid
- insensible
- inert
- unmotivated
- passive
- inferior
- nonchalant about
- casual
- phlegmatic about
- moderate
- gray
- bored by
- inactive
- lackadaisical
- poor
- insensitive
- dull
- lacking interest
- casual about
- laugh
- brainless
- apathetic towards
- offhand about
- good-for-nothing
- grey
- impassive
- idle
- inattentive
- bubbleheaded
- incurious
- stupid
- brain-dead
- unintelligent
- spiritless
- listless
- neglectful
- uninvolved with
- insouciant
- indifferent
- fainéant
- rotten
- aloof
- dead in the water
- good
- wretched
- unsatisfactory
- fatuous
- otiose
- work-shy
- unmoved by
- lethargic
- lukewarm
- enervated
- blunt
- half ass
- mild
- slothful
- passionless
- lousy
- substandard
- detached
- second-rate
- lukewarm about
Overall, the word keen means having a mental acuteness, great mental penetration, distinctness of perception, acumen, fondness, or sharp edge. This word is Germanic in origin.
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