DictionaryAI

keep

SayKEEP/kip/UK/kiːp/

Formskeeps, keeping, kept

29 meanings of keep

Practice

  1. 1
    hold in a stateverbtransitive
    To stay, or make something stay, a certain way, as in keep warm or keep the door shut.

    Please keep the windows closed when the air conditioner is on.

    A warm blanket kept the baby cozy during the long drive.

    UsageSay keep the door shut or keep me warm.

    Similarleave, hold

    Note
  2. 2
    verbintransitive
    To go on doing something, used with a verb ending in -ing.

    I keep forgetting my umbrella at home on rainy days.

    He keeps asking the same question.

    UsageSay keep trying (not incorrect: keep to try).

    Similarcontinue

    Oppositestop, quit, cease

    Note
  3. 3
    hold on toverbtransitive
    To have something and not give it away.

    You found the wallet, but you can't keep it. Take it to the police.

    My grandmother kept her old wedding dress for fifty years.

    UsageSay you can keep it: it is yours now.

    Similarretain, save, hold

    Oppositediscard, lose, return

    Note
  4. 4
    verbtransitive
    To stop someone or something from going somewhere or doing something, as in keep the dog off the sofa.

    Wear a wide hat to keep the sun off your face.

    Police kept the crowd back so the players could pass.

    UsageUse with off, out of, or away from: keep the children away from the fire.

    Similarhold

  5. 5
    verbtransitive
    To go on acting in a certain way, without stopping or changing.

    They were told to keep silence during the service.

    The soldiers kept step as they marched down the street.

    UsageSay keep up or keep pace with someone.

    Similarmaintain, hold, sustain

  6. 6
    not tellverbtransitive
    To not tell anyone a secret you know.

    Can you keep a secret? We're planning a surprise party for Dad.

    She keeps secrets better than anyone.

    UsageSay keep a secret or keep it to yourself.

    Similarguard, conceal

    Oppositereveal, divulge, disclose, betray

  7. 7
    follow (rules)verbtransitive
    To do what a promise, rule, or custom asks, or to celebrate a holiday, as in 'keep your word'.

    Keep the rules and you will be fine.

    She always keeps her promises, even small ones.

    UsageSay keep the rules: follow them.

    Similarobserve, follow, honor, obey, maintain

    Oppositebreak, neglect, ignore

  8. 8
    verbtransitive
    To write things down regularly in a record.

    Many people keep a list of the birds they see each year.

    The club keeps minutes of every meeting.

    UsageSay keep a diary.

    Similarmaintain

  9. 9
    raise (animals)verbtransitive
    To raise or care for animals or plants.

    He keeps bees at the bottom of the garden.

    Many families keep chickens for their eggs.

    UsageSay we keep chickens.

    Similarraise, rear, grow, breed, tend

  10. 10
    verbSingaporeWalestransitive
    To put something away, back where it belongs.

    Wash your bowls and keep them in the cupboard before you go out.

    She kept the toys before the guests arrived.

    UsageIf keep your toys could be misunderstood, say put your toys away.

    Similarstore, stow

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of keep apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–11, 13–15, 18–19

From Old English cēpan, meaning to seize, hold, or observe.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

  • Keep derives from Old English cēpan, meaning to seize, hold, or observe. en.wiktionary.org
Meanings 12, 16–17

From Middle English kepe, formed from the verb keep.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

  • The noun derives from Middle English kepe, formed from the verb keep. en.wiktionary.org