Nearby Words
adjective, keen·er, keen·est.
1.
finely sharpened, as an edge; so shaped as to cut or pierce substances readily: a keen razor.
2.
sharp, piercing, or biting: a keen wind; keen satire.
3.
characterized by strength and distinctness of perception; extremely sensitive or responsive: keen eyes; keen ears.
4.
having or showing great mental penetration or acumen: keen reasoning; a keen mind.
5.
EXPANDanimated by or showing strong feeling or desire: keen competition.
6.
intense, as feeling or desire: keen ambition; keen jealousy.
7.
eager; interested; enthusiastic (often followed by about, on, etc., or an infinitive): She is really keen on going swimming.
8.
COLLAPSESlang. great; wonderful; marvelous.
Origin:
before 900; 1930–35 for def. 8; Middle English kene, Old English cēne; cognate with German kühn, Old High German chuoni bold, Old Norse kœnn wise, skillful
before 900; 1930–35 for def. 8; Middle English kene, Old English cēne; cognate with German kühn, Old High German chuoni bold, Old Norse kœnn wise, skillful
Related forms
keen·ly, adverb
keen·ness, noun
Synonyms
1, 4. See sharp. 2. cutting, bitter, caustic. 3. piercing, penetrating, acute. 4. discerning, acute, astute, sagacious, shrewd, clever. 5. See avid. 7. earnest, fervid.
1, 4. See sharp. 2. cutting, bitter, caustic. 3. piercing, penetrating, acute. 4. discerning, acute, astute, sagacious, shrewd, clever. 5. See avid. 7. earnest, fervid.
Antonyms
1, 3, 4. dull.
1, 3, 4. dull.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Keenness
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
keen
"lament," 1811, from Ir. caoinim "I weep, wail, lament," from O.Ir. coinim.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
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