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keen1
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- pronunciation:
- kin
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| inflections: |
keener, keenest |
| definition 1: |
extremely sharp; able to cut readily and finely.
For that job, you'll need a knife with a keen blade.- synonyms:
- acute, fine, sharp
- antonyms:
- blunt, dull
- similar words:
- pointed
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| definition 2: |
finely discerning; extremely perceptive; acute.
Dogs have a keen sense of smell.With her keen intellect, we thought she would become an academic.- synonyms:
- acute, incisive, mordant, perceptive, sharp, trenchant
- antonyms:
- blunt, dull
- similar words:
- agile, alert, astute, clearheaded, discerning, discriminating, fine, perspicacious, pungent, shrewd, subtle, tart
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| definition 3: |
intense, vivid, or strongly felt.
He's always had a keen ambition to enter politics.She has a keen interest in sports.Some people have a keen desire to be famous.- synonyms:
- intense, strong
- antonyms:
- apathetic, indifferent, unenthusiastic
- similar words:
- acute, ardent, deep, exquisite, extreme, heavy, intent, pointed, vivid
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| definition 4: |
enthusiastic, eager, or desirous.
She's quite keen on learning how to play bridge now.He was never keen to play football, but his friends talked him into it.I asked him if he wanted to go in on on my plan, but he wasn't very keen. |
| related words: |
apt, avid, biting, calculating, canny, clever, enthusiastic, exquisite, fierce, guarded, hardheaded, live, observant, penetrating, poignant, profound, quick, quick-witted, ready, sensitive, sharp, thoughtful, trenchant, voracious |
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| derivations: |
keenly (adv.), keenness (n.) |
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