keen
gb/kˈin/ us/kˈin/
B1
English
~ 2300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Very eager or enthusiastic
Very interested and excited about something.
Usage pattern:
keen on [something] / keen to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'keen' with 'sharp' in all contexts. While 'keen' can mean 'sharp', in this sense it refers to enthusiasm, not physical sharpness.
Synonyms
eager (Similar in meaning but slightly more common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
indifferent (Lacking interest or concern.)
Collocations
keen interest
|keen to learn
|keen supporter
|keen on sports
|keen observer
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She’s very keen on learning new languages.
- I’m keen to start the new project as soon as possible.
- He is a keen supporter of the local football team.
- They were keen to explore the city together.
- Our teacher is keen on encouraging creativity in class.
Learner examples
- I am keen to visit London.
- She is keen on reading books.
- He is keen to play football.
- We are keen to meet new people.
- My brother is keen on cooking.
adjective
B2
property
2
Sharp-edged or pointed
Sharp enough to cut or pierce.
Synonyms
sharp (Most common equivalent; 'keen' is more literary or formal in this sense.)
Antonyms
blunt (Not sharp; unable to cut easily.)
Collocations
keen blade
|keen knife
|keen edge
Themes
tools
|physical properties
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The chef’s knife has a keen edge.
- He sharpened the sword until it was keen enough to slice paper.
- Be careful, that blade is extremely keen.
- Hunters value a keen arrowhead for accuracy.
- The tailor used a pair of keen scissors.
Learner examples
- The knife has a keen edge.
- This blade is very keen.
- Be careful with that keen knife.
- The scissors are not keen anymore.
- The sword is keen and dangerous.
adjective
B2
property
3
Mentally sharp or perceptive
Able to see or understand things quickly and well.
Synonyms
perceptive (Focuses on noticing details quickly and accurately.)
Antonyms
slow-witted (Slow to understand or notice things.)
Collocations
keen mind
|keen eye for detail
|keen intellect
Themes
intelligence
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She has a keen eye for detail.
- His keen mind made him an excellent detective.
- You need a keen sense of observation for this job.
- A journalist must have a keen understanding of current affairs.
- He’s known for his keen analytical skills.
Learner examples
- She has a keen mind.
- He has a keen eye for detail.
- We need someone with a keen mind.
- She is very keen at seeing problems early.
- He has a keen understanding of the work.
adjective
B1
property
4
Highly developed sense ability
Able to see, hear, smell, etc., very well.
Synonyms
acute (Often used for senses; slightly more formal.)
Antonyms
weak (Not strong or effective in physical senses.)
Collocations
keen sense of smell
|keen hearing
|keen eyesight
Themes
senses
|body
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Dogs have a keen sense of smell.
- Her keen hearing allowed her to notice the faintest sounds.
- Birds of prey have keen eyesight.
- He has a particularly keen sense of taste for wine.
- The hunter’s keen vision spotted movement far away.
Learner examples
- Dogs have a keen sense of smell.
- She has keen hearing.
- He has keen eyesight.
- Cats have a keen sense of hearing.
- My friend has a keen nose for perfume.
Verb
literary
C1
action
5
Wail in grief for the dead
To cry loudly when someone dies, especially in some traditions.
Usage pattern:
to keen for [someone] / over [someone]
Synonyms
lament (More general term for expressing grief; not always by wailing.)
Antonyms
celebrate (To express joy instead of grief.)
Collocations
keen over the body
|women keening
Themes
death
|culture
|emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The women began to keen over the body of the deceased.
- She keened for her lost child through the night.
- In the old tradition, they would keen at funerals.
- Villagers gathered to keen after the tragic accident.
- They keened until sunrise as part of the ritual.
Learner examples
- They keened for the dead man.
- She keened all night for her friend.
- The women keened at the funeral.
- They keened in sadness when he died.
- People keened after the accident.
Grammar
Dictionary form
keen
IPA
GB/kˈin/
US/kˈin/
Syllables & stress
keen (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (keen)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: keen
- Comparative: keener
- Superlative: keenest
Verb
- Base: keen
- 3rd Person Singular: keens
- Present Participle: keening
- Past: keened
Word family
Forms
keens
verb
keening
verb
keened
verb
keener
adjective
keenest
adjective
Core family
keenly
adverb B2
keenness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unkeen
adjective
Expressions
keen eye for detail
1/kˈin ˈaɪ fɚ dˈiteɪl/
fixed phrase
Good at noticing details
Able to see and notice small details well.
Examples
- An editor must have a keen eye for detail.
- Her paintings show her keen eye for detail.
keen on
1/kˈin ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
Very interested in something
To like something very much or be very interested in it.
Examples
- I’m really keen on hiking these days.
- She’s not too keen on spicy food.
keen to do something
1/kˈin tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Eager to start an action
Wanting very much to do something soon.
Examples
- We’re all keen to get started on the trip.
- He’s keen to learn how to surf.