keen1 adjectivekeen2 verb
keenkeen1 /kiːn/ ●●○ S3 W3 adjective 
WORD ORIGINkeen
Origin:
Old English ceneEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a keen eye for detail
- a keen interest in science
- Chris is a keen photographer - he's won several competitions.
- Gabby was obviously anxious to do well, and Jane was keen to help her.
- Goethe was a keen amateur geologist.
- Greg has a keen mind.
- My parents have always been keen on travelling, whenever they get the chance.
- Paul, a keen sportsman, prided himself on his level of fitness.
- She hasn't much experience but she's very keen.
- There are plenty of after-school opportunities for people who are keen on athletics.
- Coming from the disciplines of law, economics and politics, they were all keen supporters of the consumer movement.
- He had a keen brain and he spotted instantly that as addresses went this one was on the vague side.
- He remained keen on jiving and would throw himself all over the place, hair wild and eyes sparkling.
- If you're so bloody keen on accuracy, let's be accurate about this.
- Originally from Plymouth, she was a very keen squash and tennis player before suffering a knee injury at skiing.
- Parr's thin, keen face had narrowed, strangely.
- Sam was also a keen and talented naturalist.
- They are also quite keen on marijuana, feel most masculine during sport and are least inclined to admire Nigel Mansell.
THESAURUS
feeling or showing a lot of interest or excitement about something: · He’s really enthusiastic about his new job.· An enthusiastic crowd cheered the team onto the pitch.
wanting to do something or know about something very soon: · He was eager to hear every detail of her day.· She was always eager for her turn on the catwalk.· The room was full of eager young faces.· We waited in eager anticipation.
eager to work or learn: · She hasn’t much experience but she’s very keen.· John was a keen student who worked very hard.
doing something in a very enthusiastic way, especially supporting something or making sure that people obey rules: · She was a zealous supporter of the revolution.· The company has been extremely zealous in defending its interests.· Officials have been very zealous in the application of the new regulations.
[only before noun] written used when you want to emphasize that someone does something a lot or is very interested in something: · an avid golfer· She was an avid reader all her life.· I’ve become an avid collector of his work.· Henry is an avid fan of the sport.· As a schoolboy he had an avid interest in birds.
written believing or feeling something very strongly and sincerely: · Galinsoga was one of Franco’s most fervent supporters.· One of Allen 's fervent admirers was Richard Nixon.· her fervent belief in promoting the work of good women artists
British English informal to like something very much and be very interested in it: · My sister’s mad about horses.· Since you’re so mad about clothes, you can help me choose a wedding dress.
to be very eager to do something: · I can’t wait to get started.
to feel pleased and excited because you know that something is going to happen soon: · I’m looking forward to the vacation.
Longman Language Activatorto not like something or someone · John doesn't like garlic.· Why did you invite Claire? You know I don't like her.not like doing something · My girlfriend doesn't like camping.· I don't like walking home alone at night.not like something/somebody very much · Mum didn't like Mark very much when she first met him.
written to think someone or something is very unpleasant: · Eldridge was a quiet man who disliked social occasions.· She now seriously disliked her former friend.dislike doing something: · I dislike having to get up so early in the morning.dislike somebody/something intensely (=dislike them very much): · Muriel disliked Paul intensely.
spoken to think that something is not very good or that someone is not very good at something: · You don't think much of Carol, do you?· The hotel was okay, though I didn't think much of the food.· I don't think much of The Beatles, to be quite honest.
British informal to not like something, although you do not think it is very bad or very unpleasant: · Actually, I'm not very keen on modern art.· George had never been particularly fond of small children.
if someone is not your type , they are not the kind of person you usually like or enjoy being with: · Rob isn't her type at all.· "What do you think of Michael?" "He looks a bit rough - he's not really my type."
also not be somebody's cup of tea British informal to not be the kind of thing that you enjoy - use this about activities, films, books etc: · Tennis is not my thing.· Horror films aren't really my cup of tea.
use this to say that something is not the type of thing that you like or that you think is good: · It seems that the music wasn't exactly to his taste.· The food wasn't really to my liking - it all tasted rather salty.
to dislike a person, their attitude, or their behaviour and have no respect for them: · I've no time for that kind of attitude.· My father had no time for complainers.· He has no time for players who aren't completely dedicated.
to be unwilling to accept a particular situation, suggestion, or type of behaviour, because you think it is annoying: · Nancy doesn't take kindly to being corrected.· He didn't take very kindly to being disturbed in the middle of the night.
someone who enjoys something very much: avid reader/collector/listener someone who enjoys reading, collecting something etc, and does it with great interest: · Tim's father is an avid collector of old blues and jazz records.· As a keen writer and avid newspaper reader, Jenny had always wanted to be a journalist.
British: keen gardener/sportsman/golfer/painter etc someone who enjoys gardening, sport etc so much that they spend a lot of their free time doing it: · Goethe was a keen amateur geologist.· Paul, a keen sportsman, prided himself on his level of fitness.
: great traveller/reader/talker etc someone who has an eager, lively interest in travelling, reading etc, so that they do it as often as they can: · Thesiger was a great traveller, especially in Arabia and Africa.be a great one for something British: · I was never really a great one for sport as a child.
enthusiastic behaving in a way that shows how much you like, enjoy, or approve of something: · A small but enthusiastic crowd cheered as the players ran onto the field.· Several enthusiastic young teachers have just started working at the school.enthusiastic about: · He's still really enthusiastic about his new job.
especially British very enthusiastic about an activity or job: · She hasn't much experience but she's very keen.keen on: · There are plenty of after-school opportunities for people who are keen on athletics.keen on doing something: · My parents have always been keen on travelling, whenever they get the chance.a keen golfer/photographer/gardener etc: · Chris is a keen photographer - he's won several competitions.keen to do something: · Gabby was obviously anxious to do well, and Jane was keen to help her.
wanting very much to do, get, or see something soon: · A crowd of eager fans were waiting outside the hotel.eager to do something: · She hurried home from college, eager to hear Tom's news.eager for: · Simon was an ambitious man, eager for power and prestige.
to be very enthusiastic about an idea or plan, and talk about it with great excitement: · We've discussed the idea and she seems to be full of enthusiasm.be full of enthusiasm for: · Roger was full of enthusiasm for Tony's plan.
to be enthusiastic about something that is going to happen: · It was a great opportunity, and I began to get really excited about it.· Astronomers are very excited about a comet that will pass close to Earth later this month.
to be extremely enthusiastic and excited about something that you are going to do, so that you cannot wait to begin: · Come on, hurry up. The kids are raring to go.· It's going to be a tough game, but the whole team's ready and raring to go.
extremely enthusiastic about something such as a political or religious idea which you believe in very strongly, and behaving in a way that shows this: a zealous believer/opponent/supporter etc: · Only the most zealous supporters of Thatcherism were in favour of the tax.zealous in doing something: · Some of the officers were more zealous than others in enforcing the disciplinary code.
to like something to think that something is nice, attractive, enjoyable etc: · I like your dress - it's a beautiful colour.· Do you like spaghetti?like something about something: · What did you like about the movie?like doing something/like to do something: · I think Roy likes living alone.· I like to see the children enjoying themselves.
spoken to like doing a particular activity or be interested in a particular subject: · I know she's really into sports, so I thought I'd ask her to come skiing with us.· A lot of his relatives are into very weird New Age stuff.
especially British to like something, especially something that you have liked for a long time: · Connie had always been fond of animals.· He had always been fond of drinking at lunchtime, perhaps too fond.
especially British to like or be very interested in an activity or idea: · I know he's keen on opera. Let's take him to see "La Traviata'.· I'm quite keen on the idea of having a fancy dress party.
if something appeals to you, you like it because it involves things that interest you or ideas that you agree with: · I'm sure this delightful book will appeal to children of all ages.· Does either suggestion appeal to you?
also go over well American if something you do, or a book, film, performance etc goes down well with a group of people, they like it: · Her style of comedy is very British, but it goes down well in the States too.go down well with: · At the present time, military action would not go over well with the international community
formal if something is to your liking it has the qualities that you like, or it is made in the way that you like: · Was the meal to your liking, Madam?· The surrounding countryside was very much to our liking.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
She likes Biology, but she’s not too keen on Physics. My flatmates want to have a party, but I’m not keen on the idea. She takes a keen interest in politics and current affairs. She was new in the job and keen as mustard (=very keen). She has a keen eye for (=is good at noticing) talent. As she walked away, Joe felt a keen sense of loss. We won the contest in the face of keen competition.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He combined a formidable intellect with a talent for speaking. ‘Did you enjoy the film?’ ‘I wasn’t mad keen.’ He’s a very keen sportsman.
She likes Biology, but she’s not too keen on Physics. My flatmates want to have a party, but I’m not keen on the idea. (=very keen on something) spoken I was mad keen on dinosaurs when I was little.
I was mad keen on dinosaurs when I was little. She takes a keen interest in politics and current affairs. She was new in the job and keen as mustard (=very keen). She has a keen eye for (=is good at noticing) talent. As she walked away, Joe felt a keen sense of loss. We won the contest in the face of keen competition. (=strong competition)· There is stiff competition for places at the best universities.
(=extremely good)· Eagles are known for their extremely keen eyesight.
He combined a formidable intellect with a talent for speaking.· The results of their work will be of considerable interest.
‘Did you enjoy the film?’ ‘I wasn’t mad keen.’ (=a good ability to judge something)· As a lawyer, he had a keen sense of the value of political connections.
· Pigs have a keen sense of smell.
He’s a very keen sportsman.· Eisenhower had been an enthusiastic supporter of the regime.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· I am a high-handicapper, but as keen as anyone else to improve my game.· Some freeholders were just as keen as was the average burgh councillor to retain close ties with the government ministers.· Peasants often have more practical experience than philosophers and are just as keen to make money out of their produce.· We arrived as keen as a couple of puppies out for their first walkies, full of fun and raring to go!· But firms have not been as keen to get involved as had been hoped.· He did not know the people on it and they did not seem as keen to join as he had expected.· By that stage I was as keen on it as she was.· By now Nilsson was 56, but the voice, once warmed up, is as keen and steady as ever.
NOUN· Early impressions suggest that there could be keen competition to provide such a service - if the money can be found!· Within seconds, though, I felt a keen competition.· Both sales saw keen competition for the more interesting lots.
· At least with her young, keen eyes she would have seen that he was being duped by his own nephew.· First, each has a keen eye for talent.· But with being a keen golfer, I developed a keen eye for a golf ball and a distance.· And he kept a keen eye on the housing department's invoices.· His thick grey hair was well groomed, his keen eyes looked kind, and his handshake was firm.· She speaks with warmth of Maxwell, Redpath and Gillies and there's a keen eye too kept on contemporary talents.· He had keen eyes and quick hands, so it was a long time before he got caught.· Salford are in the bidding, Oldham are keeping a keen eye on him and St Helens are reportedly interested.
· At home he was a keen gardener winning many prizes for his efforts.· Mummy is a keen gardener, and his father loves flowers.· He was a very keen gardener.· Finally, for keen gardeners there is the opportunity to recreate at home what you have seen in National Trust gardens.· He is a keen gardener, and expressed great pleasure at the choice of present.· Charles Wade was also a keen gardener.· A speechreader was chatting about roses to a keen gardener.
· He has a keen interest in contemporary music and is a founder member of the ensemble Capricorn.· The answer is obvious: Symington, via Leckie, had an early and keen interest in procurement matters.· Hardy took a keen interest in their production, although, with two exceptions, the plays themselves were not his work.· Both leaders have professed keen interest in the border-its environment, its enforcement, its very being.· He has a keen interest in popular music and the developing laws and rights in respect of musical performers and songwriters.· Some people have expressed surprise at learning the U. S. Chamber of Commerce is taking such a keen interest in welfare reform.· Ideally with keen interest in current affairs, entertainment, health and lifestyle subject areas.· This part of the action was watched with keen interest by those at Union headquarters across the Antietam.
· And Matt Camplisson, a recently retired bus inspector, will also be there with his keen sense of humour.· Alexander, of course, had a keen sense of the value of my commentary.· The most skilled and literate combined the keenest sense of grievance with the ability to articulate their aspirations.· But his good-ore-boy mannerisms hide a keen sense of opportunity.· We feel a keen sense of responsibility for the sick and needy.· Hughes was blessed or cursed by a very keen sense of the social drama of collective life.· But she too had a keen sense of making the best of whatever was given.· They lose their keen sense of smell and direction when the wind picks up like this.
· Being a doctor was the occupation of his father, a keen sportsman.· He sang in the choir, was a talented musician and a keen sportsman.· He is a keen sportsman and enjoys marathon running for charity. joined the purchase ledger department in August.· He had been a keen sportsman in his youth, and now followed cricket avidly.· Shocked Shocked friends and colleagues spoke last night of the two brothers who were keen sportsmen.· He is a very keen sportsman and enjoys football, fishing and rugby.· A keen sportsman, he'd spent Saturday afternoon playing rugby for his college club.· A keen sportsman, he has several times completed the Great North Run.
· Coming from the disciplines of law, economics and politics, they were all keen supporters of the consumer movement.· But the organisation is a keen supporter of driver training as the best way of making the roads a safer place.· The right hon. Gentleman was a keen supporter of the poll tax.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
- Baker is keen on more collaborative projects in key technologies.
- I was keen on it ... We decided we wouldn't overlap what we wanted to do.
- No wonder he is keen on quantity of mates, and she on quality.
- She seemed to consider the proposal favourably and Princess Margaret, who I knew was keen on the idea, was supportive.
- She was the Imp Second in the 1st Badgeworth Pack, and was keen on doing her daily good turn.
- The auto dealer was keen on reaching South Side blacks, and in Gibson he heard an effective pitchman.
- The most active Liberal associations are keen on stirring up interest in purely local issues - a process known as community politics.
- Young males in particular were keener on high pay and promotion than older people, and less concerned with security or job satisfaction.
- Baker is keen on more collaborative projects in key technologies.
- I was keen on it ... We decided we wouldn't overlap what we wanted to do.
- No wonder he is keen on quantity of mates, and she on quality.
- She seemed to consider the proposal favourably and Princess Margaret, who I knew was keen on the idea, was supportive.
- She was the Imp Second in the 1st Badgeworth Pack, and was keen on doing her daily good turn.
- The auto dealer was keen on reaching South Side blacks, and in Gibson he heard an effective pitchman.
- The most active Liberal associations are keen on stirring up interest in purely local issues - a process known as community politics.
- Young males in particular were keener on high pay and promotion than older people, and less concerned with security or job satisfaction.
WORD FAMILYnounkeennessadjectivekeenadverbkeenly
1want something especially British English wanting to do something or wanting something to happen very much SYN eagerkeen to do something He told me that he was keen to help.keen on doing something I wasn’t keen on going there on my own.keen for something to happen The government is keen for peace talks to start again.keen that The chairman is keen that the company should expand its product range.2like be keen on somebody/something British English spoken to like someone or something: I’m not keen on cabbage.not too/not very/not that keen on something She likes Biology, but she’s not too keen on Physics. My flatmates want to have a party, but I’m not keen on the idea.3hobby/interest especially British English someone who is keen on something is very interested in it or enjoys doing it very much: a keen photographer keen golferskeen on Daniel’s very keen on tennis.mad keen on something (=very keen on something) spoken I was mad keen on dinosaurs when I was little. She takes a keen interest in politics and current affairs.4eager to work/learn someone who is keen is eager to work or learn, and enjoys doing it: keen students The kids in my class are all very keen. She was new in the job and keen as mustard (=very keen).5sight/smell/hearing a keen sense of smell or keen sight or hearing is an extremely good ability to smell etc: Dogs have a very keen sense of smell. She has a keen eye for (=is good at noticing) talent.6mind someone with a keen mind is quick to understand things: a keen understanding of commerce With her keen mind and good business sense, she soon became noticed.7feeling a keen feeling is one that is strong and deep: As she walked away, Joe felt a keen sense of loss.8competition used to describe a situation in which people compete strongly: We won the contest in the face of keen competition.9attracted be keen on somebody British English to be sexually attracted to someone10sharp literary a keen knife or blade is extremely sharp11wind old-fashioned a keen wind is cold and strong12prices British English keen prices are low—keenly adverb: I was keenly aware of the dangers.—keenness noun [uncountable]GRAMMARYou are keen on something or keen on doing something: · We’re all very keen on sports. ✗Don’t say: We’re all very keen of sports.Grammar guide ‒ ADJECTIVESkeen1 adjectivekeen2 verb
keenkeen2 verb [intransitive] VERB TABLE
keen
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | keen |
| he, she, it | keens | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | keened |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have keened |
| he, she, it | has keened | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had keened |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will keen |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have keened |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am keening |
| he, she, it | is keening | |
| you, we, they | are keening | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was keening |
| you, we, they | were keening | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been keening |
| he, she, it | has been keening | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been keening |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be keening |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been keening |
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He combined a formidable intellect with a talent for speaking. ‘Did you enjoy the film?’ ‘I wasn’t mad keen.’ He’s a very keen sportsman.
old use to sing a loud sad song for someone who has died (=strong competition)· There is stiff competition for places at the best universities.
(=extremely good)· Eagles are known for their extremely keen eyesight.
He combined a formidable intellect with a talent for speaking.· The results of their work will be of considerable interest.
‘Did you enjoy the film?’ ‘I wasn’t mad keen.’ (=a good ability to judge something)· As a lawyer, he had a keen sense of the value of political connections.
· Pigs have a keen sense of smell.
He’s a very keen sportsman.· Eisenhower had been an enthusiastic supporter of the regime.