keen

SayKEEN/kin/UK/kiːn/

12 meanings of keen

1
eageradjectiveCommonwealth
Very interested in something and wanting to do it.
Like a dog that jumps up the moment you reach for its leash.
She is keen to start her new job next week.
The children are keen on football and play every afternoon.
UsageSay keen on something or keen to do something.
Similareager, enthusiastic, avid, ardent, passionate
Oppositereluctant, unwilling, unenthusiastic, indifferent
2
sharp mindadjective
Quick to notice and understand things, and very sharp and smart.
Like a camera that snaps every detail into focus at once.
She has a keen mind for solving difficult puzzles.
His keen eye spotted the mistake right away.
UsageSay a keen eye or a keen mind.
Similarsharp, astute, acute, shrewd, perceptive
Oppositedull, obtuse
Note
3
fierceadjective
Very strong, fierce, and intense.
Like a fire that burns hot and bright.
There was keen competition for the last spot on the team.
Her keen desire to win drove her through every setback.
UsageSay keen competition: strong competition.
Similarintense, fierce, acute, strong, bitter
Oppositemild, slight

Less common meanings

4
sharp (blade)adjective
Having a very sharp edge or point.
Like a fresh razor that glides without dragging.
The knife had a keen edge that sliced through rope easily.
A keen blade makes carving the meat much simpler.
Similarsharp, razor-sharp, honed
Oppositeblunt, dull
Note
5
biting coldadjective
So cold and sharp that it stings, used about wind or weather.
Like cold water hitting your skin and making you gasp.
A keen wind blew off the sea and chilled everyone on the dock.
The keen morning frost nipped at their bare fingers.
Similarbiting, bitter, piercing, raw, cutting
Oppositemild, balmy, gentle
6
funeral crynouncountable
A long, loud cry of sadness for someone who has died.
Like a long, sad song cried out loud when someone dies.
A mournful keen rose from the women gathered around the coffin.
Her keen echoed through the valley long after the burial.
Similarwail, lament, cry, howl
7
lamentverbintransitive
To cry out loudly and for a long time because someone has died.
The widow began to keen as the coffin was lowered.
Mourners keened through the night beside the body.
UsageUse keen for someone: They keened for their mother.
Similarwail, lament, howl
Note
8
harsh (words)adjective
Sharp and bitter, used about words or a tone.
Like a comment that cuts the way a sharp knife does.
His keen remarks left her stung for the rest of the evening.
Her keen words about his laziness hurt him deeply.
Similarbitter, cutting, biting, acerbic, caustic
9
greatadjectivedatedUS
Really great or wonderful.
Like calling something the coolest thing you've ever seen.
That's a keen idea, so let's do it right now!
Well our hosts here attacked us with a fantastic Dismodulating Anti Phase stun ray and then invited us to this amazingly keen meal by way of making it up to us.
1985, Douglas Adams, The Original Hitchhiker Radio ScriptsHere, keen means excellent or wonderful.
UsageOften peachy keen, said in fun.
Similarswell, neat, nifty, terrific, great
Note
10
low (prices)adjectiveBritish
Of a price, very low and good for the buyer.
Like finding the cheapest stall in a busy market.
The shop offers keen prices on garden tools.
We got the car at a keen price, well below the dealer's.
UsageUse keen to describe prices, not the things you buy: keen prices.
Similarcompetitive, low, attractive
Oppositesteep, high, exorbitant
11
verbraretransitive
To make something cold, or to give it a sharp edge.
This is the pureſt exerciſe of health, / The kind refreſher of the ſummer-heats; / Nor, when cold Winter keens the brightening flood, / Would I weak-ſhivering linger on the brink.
a. 1749 (date written), James Thomson, “Summer”Here, keens means makes cold.
Similarsharpen, hone, whet, chill
Oppositeblunt, dull
Note
12
adjectiveobsolete
Brave and bold, and not afraid to take risks.
Note

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1–5, 8–12

From Old English cēne meaning keen, bold, or clever, going back to a Proto-Germanic word for skilful or clever.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

Keen derives from Old English cēne, meaning keen, bold, or clever. en.wiktionary.org
Old English cēne goes back to a Proto-Germanic word meaning skilful or clever. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 6–7

From Irish, meaning to lament.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

Keen, in its lamenting sense, comes from Irish. en.wiktionary.org
The Irish source word means to lament. en.wiktionary.org