keeper
gb/kˈipɚ/ us/kˈipɚ/
B1
English
~ 6600
gondnok, gondozó, őr, főnyeremény, jó fogás, érdemes megtartani, kapus, méretes hal, megtartható fogás, rögzítőelem, bújtató
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is the keeper of [something]
The park keeper opens the gates every morning at six.
A parkőr minden reggel hatkor kinyitja a kapukat.
She works as a lighthouse keeper on a small island.
Világítótorony-őrként dolgozik egy kis szigeten.
The museum appointed a new keeper of rare manuscripts.
The zoo keeper checked that all the cages were locked.
As jail keeper, he is responsible for the safety of both staff and prisoners.
Learner examples
The zoo keeper feeds the animals every day.
Az állatgondozó mindennap megeteti az állatokat.
The park keeper cleans the park in the morning.
A parkőr reggel rendbe teszi a parkot.
He is the keeper of the old castle.
The museum keeper watches the paintings carefully.
She wants to be an animal keeper when she grows up.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'keeper' when they mean 'owner'. A keeper looks after or manages something but does not always own it. Say 'dog owner' for the person who owns a dog, but 'zoo keeper' for the person who takes care of many animals owned by the zoo.
Meaning
person who looks after something
Collocations
park keeper
|game keeper
|lighthouse keeper
|keeper of the keys
|zoo keeper
Synonyms
caretaker (focuses more on daily care and maintenance rather than official responsibility or control.)
|
guardian (adds a stronger sense of protection or duty, sometimes emotional or legal.)
Antonyms
intruder (someone who enters or interferes without permission, opposite of an authorized keeper.)
Themes
work
|roles
|core_vocabulary
Definition
a person whose job is to look after animals, places, or things
A person whose job or official role is to take care of, guard, or manage animals, property, or objects.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
2
főnyeremény
B2
jó fogás
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a keeper
When he cooked dinner and cleaned up without being asked, I knew he was a keeper.
Amikor megfőzte a vacsorát, és kérés nélkül el is pakolt utána, tudtam, hogy igazi főnyeremény.
Anyone who supports you like that is definitely a keeper.
Aki így támogat téged, az bizony igazi főnyeremény.
After meeting her family and seeing how kind she is, his friends told him, "She's a real keeper."
If someone listens to you and respects your boundaries, that's a keeper.
My sister says that any partner who makes you laugh every day is a keeper.
Learner examples
He is kind and honest. He is a keeper.
Kedves és őszinte. Igazi főnyeremény.
She helps me when I am sad. She is a keeper.
Segít nekem, amikor szomorú vagyok. Igazi főnyeremény.
If your boyfriend cooks for you, he might be a keeper.
My friends say my girlfriend is a keeper.
A partner who respects you is a keeper.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the job meaning of 'keeper' with this informal meaning. In the sentence 'He's a keeper', it usually does NOT mean he looks after something as a job; it means he is a very good partner or person to stay with.
Meaning
very good romantic partner
Collocations
he's a keeper
|she's a keeper
|definite keeper
|total keeper
Synonyms
catch (informal; often used about someone seen as attractive and successful, especially as a partner.)
|
gem (informal; highlights that the person is rare and very special, not just good for a relationship.)
Antonyms
loser (informal and sometimes rude; used for someone seen as a very bad choice as a partner.)
Themes
relationships
|evaluation
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
a boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner who is so good that you want to stay with them for a long time
A person, especially a romantic partner, who is considered so good, kind, or compatible that you should stay with them long-term.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
[something] is a keeper
That chocolate cake recipe is a keeper.
Az a csokitorta-recept olyan jó, hogy érdemes megtartani.
This photo is a keeper; we all look great in it.
Ezt a fotót érdemes megtartani; mindannyian remekül nézünk ki rajta.
The first draft was rough, but the opening line is definitely a keeper.
Most of his jokes were bad, but that last one was a keeper.
Save that logo design; I think it's a keeper.
Learner examples
This picture is a keeper. We all look happy.
Ezt a képet érdemes megtartani. Mindannyian boldognak látszunk rajta.
Your idea is a keeper. We can use it again.
Az ötletedet érdemes megtartani. Újra felhasználhatjuk.
That story is a keeper. Tell it next time too.
The teacher says my essay title is a keeper.
This new password is easy to remember. It is a keeper.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'keeper' here still means a person. In sentences like 'That joke is a keeper', it refers to the thing (the joke), not a person.
Meaning
thing good enough to keep
Collocations
this one's a keeper
|that's a real keeper
|recipe is a keeper
|photo is a keeper
Synonyms
favorite (suggests personal preference; may not always imply you will keep it permanently.)
Antonyms
throwaway (something viewed as not worth keeping, often used once and then discarded.)
Themes
evaluation
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
a thing or idea that is so good that you want to keep it and use it again
Something, such as an object, idea, photo, or recipe, that is considered so good or useful that you should keep it permanently.
NOUN
B1
4
kapus
A2
Usage pattern:
[team]’s keeper [verb]
The keeper made an incredible save in the last minute.
A kapus hihetetlenül nagyot védett az utolsó percben.
They signed a new keeper after their previous one was injured.
Új kapust igazoltak, miután az előző megsérült.
The home team's keeper shouted instructions to the defenders.
Their young keeper has already kept three clean sheets this season.
The coach praised the keeper for his quick reactions.
Learner examples
The keeper stopped the ball with his hands.
A kapus a kezével megállította a labdát.
Our keeper is very tall and strong.
A kapusunk nagyon magas és erős.
The keeper ran out to get the ball.
They need a better keeper for the next match.
The keeper wears a different shirt from the other players.
Common mistake:
Some learners say 'door keeper' when they mean 'goalkeeper'. Use 'keeper' or 'goalkeeper' for the player in sports, and 'doorman' or 'security guard' for someone who watches a door.
Meaning
goalkeeper in sports
Collocations
first-choice keeper
|backup keeper
|experienced keeper
|the team's keeper
Synonyms
goalkeeper (full form; more common in formal writing or when first introducing the position.)
Antonyms
striker (in soccer, a player whose main job is to score goals, the opposite role to the keeper.)
Themes
sports
|core_vocabulary
Definition
the player in some sports who stands near the goal and tries to stop the ball from going in
In sports such as soccer, hockey, or cricket, a player whose main job is to protect the goal or wickets and stop the ball from scoring.
NOUN
B2
5
méretes hal
B2
Usage pattern:
catch [a] keeper
He measured the fish and smiled when he saw it was a keeper.
Megmérte a halat, és elmosolyodott, amikor látta, hogy méretes.
We threw back the small ones and kept only the keepers.
A kicsiket visszaengedtük, és csak a méreteseket tartottuk meg.
That's a keeper, you should take a photo with it.
Most of what we caught today wasn’t a keeper.
The guide told us which sizes were keepers and which we had to release.
Learner examples
This fish is a keeper. It is big enough.
Ez a hal megtartható. Elég nagy.
That one is too small. It is not a keeper.
Az túl kicsi. Nem tartható meg.
We only take keepers home to eat.
The fishing guide says this one is a keeper.
He was happy because his first fish was a keeper.
Meaning
fish big enough to keep
Collocations
caught a keeper
|that's a keeper
|just a keeper
|not a keeper
Synonyms
legal catch (more formal and explicit; clearly focuses on law and regulations.)
Antonyms
throwback (fishing term for a catch that must be returned to the water, often because it is too small.)
Themes
nature
|sports
|animals
|core_vocabulary
Definition
a fish or animal you catch that is big enough or allowed by law to keep
A fish or other animal that meets the size or legal rules that allow you to keep it after catching it.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
6
rögzítőelem
B2
bújtató
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] has a keeper for [part]
The watch strap broke because the keeper was missing.
Az óraszíj azért szakadt el, mert hiányzott róla a bújtató.
A small metal keeper holds the cable in position.
Egy kis fém rögzítőelem tartja a helyén a kábelt.
The magnetic keeper protects the bar magnet when it is not in use.
Make sure the belt passes through the keeper so it doesn’t slip.
He replaced the worn plastic keeper with a stronger metal one.
Learner examples
The belt has a small keeper to hold the end.
Az övön van egy kis bújtató, ami megtartja a szabad végét.
A metal keeper keeps the wire in place.
Egy fém rögzítőelem a helyén tartja a vezetéket.
The bag strap broke when the keeper broke.
This plastic keeper holds the door open.
The magnet comes with a keeper to protect it.
Meaning
device that holds something
Collocations
belt keeper
|strap keeper
|magnetic keeper
|wire keeper
Synonyms
retainer (often used in technical or medical contexts; can sound more specialized than 'keeper'.)
Antonyms
release mechanism (a part that lets something go, the opposite function of a keeper that holds it in place.)
Themes
technology
|work
Definition
a small part of a machine or object that holds another part in place
A mechanical part or device designed to hold, secure, or keep another object in a fixed position.
Grammar
Dictionary form
keeper
IPA
GB/kˈipɚ/
US/kˈipɚ/
Syllables & stress
keep - er (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (keep)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: keeper
- Plural: keepers
Word family
Expressions
a real keeper
1/ə ɹˈil kˈipɚ/
fixed phrase
informal
someone or something very good to keep
used to say that a person (often a partner) or a thing is really good and you should keep them or it
Examples
- Anyone who makes you feel that safe is a real keeper.
- This pasta sauce recipe is a real keeper.
- Your new assistant is a real keeper; don't let her go.
finders keepers
1/fˈaɪndɚz kˈipɚz/
idiom
informal
the finder has the right to keep it
said, often jokingly, to mean that if you find something, you can keep it
Examples
- I found a dollar on the street—finders keepers!
- The kids argued over the toy until one shouted, "Finders keepers!"
- He laughed and said, "Finders keepers," when he picked up the dropped scarf.
he's a keeper
1/hˈiz ə kˈipɚ/
idiom
informal
he is a very good partner
used to say that a boyfriend or male partner is so good that you should stay with him for a long time
Examples
- He brought soup when you were sick? He's a keeper.
- When he stayed to help clean up after the party, my friends whispered, "He's a keeper."
- If he listens to you and respects you, then he's a keeper.
keeper of the keys
1/kˈipɚ əv ðə kˈiz/
fixed phrase
person who holds important keys
a person whose job or role is to keep and control important keys for a place
Examples
- As keeper of the keys, she locks the building every night.
- The old caretaker proudly called himself the keeper of the keys.
- He joked that being the keeper of the keys made him very powerful.
she's a keeper
1/ʃˈiz ə kˈipɚ/
idiom
informal
she is a very good partner
used to say that a girlfriend or female partner is so good that you should stay with her for a long time
Examples
- She waited for you at the hospital all night; she's a keeper.
- If she supports your dreams, she's a keeper.
- My parents met my girlfriend and both said, "She's a keeper."
that's a keeper
1/ðˈæts ə kˈipɚ/
idiom
informal
that thing is worth keeping
used to say that an idea, photo, joke, recipe, etc. is so good that you should keep it and use it again
Examples
- This photo is amazing—that's a keeper.
- That joke made everyone laugh; that's a keeper.
- Your new logo design is definitely a keeper.