adj B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

keen

Keen (adj) means Eager and enthusiastic about something. Example: “She was keen to start the new job straight away.”

adj

Eager and enthusiastic about something.

"She was keen to start the new job straight away."

"He's always keen for a game of football at lunchtime."

Sharp, whether literally (an edge or point) or mentally (a sharp mind or sharp senses).

"He has a keen eye for detail."

"The knife had a keen blade after sharpening."

Of cold, wind, or pain: cutting and intense.

"A keen wind cut across the moor."

verb

To wail or cry out in mourning for the dead.

"The women keened over the grave through the night."

How to use keen

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEager and enthusiastic, or sharp (in edge, mind, or sensation) — a separate, older sense means to wail in mourning.

UK vs US

"Keen" meaning eager is far more common in British English; American English tends to say "eager" or "into it" instead.

Common pairings

keen interest keen sense keen to keen on

Word forms

keener comparative, more keen comparative, keened past tense, keened past tense, keens plural, Keens plural, keens singular, keens singular, keenest superlative, most keen superlative

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She was _____ to start the new job straight away.

Etymology

From Old English cēne ("bold, sharp, wise"), a Germanic word related to German kühn ("bold") and, further back, to the root of "cunning" and "can".

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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eager enthusiastic avid sharp acute astute penetrating shrewd

Related words

happy exactly active aware smart knowing flat willing

Rhymes for keen

een been seen teen deen green queen sheen Steen tween Breen unseen

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Frequently asked questions

What does “keen” mean?

The word “keen” means eager and enthusiastic about something. In plain terms, eager and enthusiastic, or sharp (in edge, mind, or sensation) — a separate, older sense means to wail in mourning.

How do you pronounce “keen”?

“Keen” is pronounced keen (/kin/ in IPA).

How do you use “keen” in a sentence?

Here is “keen” used in a sentence: “She was keen to start the new job straight away.”

What is another word for “keen”?

Words with a similar meaning to “keen” include penetrating and shrewd.

What part of speech is “keen”?

Depending on how it is used, “keen” can be an adjective and a verb.

Where does the word “keen” come from?

The word “keen” comes from Old English. From Old English cēne ("bold, sharp, wise"), a Germanic word related to German kühn ("bold") and, further back, to the root of "cunning" and "can".

Is “keen” a common word?

“Keen” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “keen” have?

“Keen” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: eager and enthusiastic about something.

What is the difference between "keen" and "eager"?

Both mean showing strong interest, but "keen" is especially common in British English and can also mean sharp or perceptive, while "eager" focuses purely on impatient enthusiasm to do something.

Is "keen" more common in British or American English?

In the sense of "eager," "keen" is much more common in British English, where "I'm keen to help" sounds natural. American speakers more often say "eager" or "excited," though the "sharp" senses of keen are used in both.

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