keen
gb/kˈin/ us/kˈin/
B1
Engels
~ 2300
Betekenissen
0 betekenissen
adjective
B1
property
1
Very eager or enthusiastic
Very interested and excited about something.
Gebruikspatroon:
keen on [something] / keen to [do something]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes confuse 'keen' with 'sharp' in all contexts. While 'keen' can mean 'sharp', in this sense it refers to enthusiasm, not physical sharpness.
Synoniemen
eager (Similar in meaning but slightly more common in everyday speech.)
Antoniemen
indifferent (Lacking interest or concern.)
Woordcombinaties
keen interest
|keen to learn
|keen supporter
|keen on sports
|keen observer
Thema's
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Voorbeelden
- 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.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- 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.
Synoniemen
sharp (Most common equivalent; 'keen' is more literary or formal in this sense.)
Antoniemen
blunt (Not sharp; unable to cut easily.)
Woordcombinaties
keen blade
|keen knife
|keen edge
Thema's
tools
|physical properties
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Voorbeelden
- 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.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- 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.
Synoniemen
perceptive (Focuses on noticing details quickly and accurately.)
Antoniemen
slow-witted (Slow to understand or notice things.)
Woordcombinaties
keen mind
|keen eye for detail
|keen intellect
Thema's
intelligence
|education
|core_vocabulary
Voorbeelden
- 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.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- 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.
Synoniemen
acute (Often used for senses; slightly more formal.)
Antoniemen
weak (Not strong or effective in physical senses.)
Woordcombinaties
keen sense of smell
|keen hearing
|keen eyesight
Thema's
senses
|body
|health
|core_vocabulary
Voorbeelden
- 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.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- 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.
Werkwoord
literary
C1
action
5
Wail in grief for the dead
To cry loudly when someone dies, especially in some traditions.
Gebruikspatroon:
to keen for [someone] / over [someone]
Synoniemen
lament (More general term for expressing grief; not always by wailing.)
Antoniemen
celebrate (To express joy instead of grief.)
Woordcombinaties
keen over the body
|women keening
Thema's
death
|culture
|emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Voorbeelden
- 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.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- 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.
Grammatica
Lemmavorm
keen
IPA
GB/kˈin/
US/kˈin/
Lettergrepen en klemtoon
keen (1 lettergreep)
Stress on 1st syllable (keen)
Woordvormen
Adjective
- Base: keen
- Comparative: keener
- Superlative: keenest
Verb
- Base: keen
- 3rd Person Singular: keens
- Present Participle: keening
- Past: keened
Woordfamilie
Forms
keens
verb
keening
verb
keened
verb
keener
adjective
keenest
adjective
Core family
keenly
adverb B2
keenness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unkeen
adjective
Uitdrukkingen
keen eye for detail
1/kˈin ˈaɪ fɚ dˈiteɪl/
fixed phrase
Good at noticing details
Able to see and notice small details well.
Voorbeelden
- 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.
Voorbeelden
- 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.
Voorbeelden
- We’re all keen to get started on the trip.
- He’s keen to learn how to surf.