- 1 (especially British English) wanting to do something or wanting something to happen very much synonym eager keen (to do something) John was very keen to help. keen (that…) We are keen that our school should get involved too. keen (on doing something) I wasn't too keen on going to the party. Oxford Collocations Dictionary verbsappear, be, look, … adverbextremely, fairly, very, … prepositionfor, on phrasesas keen as mustard See full entry See related entries: Showing interest
- 2 [usually before noun] (especially British English) enthusiastic about an activity or idea, etc. a keen sportsman one of the keenest supporters of the team She was a star pupil—keen, confident and bright. See related entries: Job skills and personal qualities liking somebody/something
- 3 (British English, informal) liking somebody/something very much; very interested in somebody/something keen on somebody/something Tom's very keen on Anna. keen on doing something She's not keen on being told what to do. Synonymslikelove be fond of be keen on something adoreThese words all mean to find something pleasant, attractive or satisfactory, or to enjoy something.like to find something pleasant, attractive or satisfactory; to enjoy something:Do you like their new house? I like to see them enjoying themselves.love to like or enjoy something very much:He loved the way she smiled.be fond of something to like or enjoy something, especially something you have liked or enjoyed for a long time:We were fond of the house and didn’t want to leave.be keen on something (British Englishinformal) (often used in negative statements) to like or enjoy something:I’m not keen on spicy food. She’s not keen on being told what to do.adore (informal) to like or enjoy something very much:She adores working with children.love or adore? Adore is more informal than love, and is used to express a stronger feeling.Patterns to like/love/be fond of/be keen on/adore doing something to like/love to do something to like/love something very much I like/love/adore it here/there/when… to like/love/adore the way somebody does something to really like/love/adore somebody/something to be really fond of/keen on something clever
- 4[only before noun] quick to understand synonym sharp, acute a keen mind/intellect ideas/feelings
- 5[usually before noun] strong or deep a keen sense of tradition He took a keen interest in his grandson's education. senses
- 6[only before noun] highly developed synonym sharp Dogs have a keen sense of smell. My friend has a keen eye for (= is good at noticing) a bargain. competition
- 7involving people competing very hard with each other for something There is keen competition for places at the college. They were keen rivals. It was the subject of keen debate. prices
- 8(especially British English) kept low in order to compete with other prices synonym competitive The company hopes its keen pricing policy will increase sales. wind
- 9(literary) extremely cold knife
- 10[usually before noun] (literary) having a sharp edge or point synonym sharp Word Originadjective 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.Extra examples He’s particularly keen on football. Sally’s quite keen on the idea. She is extremely keen to remain with the police and we are equally keen to retain her. She was always keen to hear the local gossip. She was naturally keen to make a good impression. She’s a very keen gardener. The banks were not at all keen to lend to somebody who actually seemed to need money. They were desperately keen for information. He’s a keen sportsman and enjoys football, fishing and rugby. I wasn’t too keen on going to the party. Pete’s very keen on Anna. She takes a keen interest in politics. We are keen that Britain should get involved too.Idioms
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BrE BrE//kiːn//; NAmE NAmE//kiːn//
(keener, keenest) Showing interest, Job skills and personal qualities(British English, informal) wanting very much to do well at something; enthusiastic
(British English, informal) liking something/somebody very much; very interested in something He's mad keen on planes.
Check pronunciation: keen
