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keen1

Pronunciation: /kiːn/
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Definition of keen

adjective

  • 1chiefly British having or showing eagerness or enthusiasm:a keen gardener John was keen to help
  • (keen on) interested in or attracted by (someone or something):Bob makes it obvious he’s keen on her
  • 2sharp or penetrating, in particular:
  • (of a sense) highly developed:I have keen eyesight
  • (of mental faculties) quick to understand:her keen intellect
  • (of the edge or point of a blade) sharp: the keen blade went through the weeds
  • (of the air or wind) extremely cold; biting: a keen wind cut through their thick overalls
  • literary (of a smell, light, or sound) penetrating; clear: ear-splitting explosive bursts, keen and sharp
  • 3British (of activity or feeling) intense:there could be keen competition to provide the service
  • 3(of prices) very low; competitive: we offer extremely keen rates
  • 4 [predic.] North American informal, dated excellent: I would soon fly to distant stars—how keen!

Phrases

(as) keen as mustard

British informal extremely eager or enthusiastic.

Derivatives

keenly

adverb

Origin:

Old English cēne 'wise, clever', also 'brave, daring', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch koen and German kühn 'bold, brave'. Current senses date from Middle English

keen in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of keen in the US English dictionary

Reference to keen in Language Resources

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