keep

noun

UK /kiːp/

Word Forms

singular	keep
plural	keeps

1
uncountable the cost of the food and the other things such as clothes that you need to live
We only need two rooms and our keep.
earn your keep:
Paul earns his keep by helping his elderly landlord.
Synonyms and related words
Prices and costs
price
cost
charge
2
countable a large strong tower in the centre of a castle
Synonyms and related words
Castles, towers and fortifications
bailey
battlements
belfry

phrases

for keeps

keep

noun

US /kip/

Word Forms

singular	keep
plural	keeps

1
uncountable the cost of the food and the other things such as clothes that you need to live
We only need two rooms and our keep.
earn your keep:
Paul earns his keep by helping his elderly landlord.
Synonyms and related words
Prices and costs
price
cost
charge
2
countable a large strong tower in the center of a castle
Synonyms and related words
Castles, towers and fortifications
bailey
battlements
belfry

phrases

for keeps

keep

verb

UK /kiːp/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	keep
he/she/it	keeps
present participle	keeping
past tense	kept
past participle	kept

1
intransitive to stay in a state, position, or place without changing or moving
Keep still while I brush your hair.
People kept quiet because they were afraid.
I walked along the hall, keeping close to the side.
Synonyms and related words
To remain in a place or situation
remain
stay
wait
1. 1a
  transitive to make someone or something stay in a state, position, or place
  Keep her warm and give her plenty to drink.
  Police tried to keep the two rival groups apart.
  Why can’t we just keep things simple?
  keep someone/something under observation:
  The patient is being kept under observation.
  keep someone/something under control:
  They do not understand the importance of keeping costs under control.
  Synonyms and related words
  To be in a particular position or place
  occupy
  set
  exist
2
transitive to do something many times, or to continue doing it
keep doing something:
I keep on telling you but you won’t listen.
Keep taking the tablets.
I keep forgetting to put the answering machine on.
Synonyms and related words
To continue something, or to continue to do something
continue
go on
follow through
1. 2a
  transitive to make someone continue doing something
  keep someone doing something:
  Sorry to keep you waiting.
  She kept me talking for forty-five minutes.
  Synonyms and related words
  To make something continue or last longer
  draw out
  drag out
  spin out
2. 2b
  transitive to make something continue to operate or exist
  keep something doing something:
  We need more money to keep the farm going.
  Synonyms and related words
  To make something continue or last longer
  draw out
  drag out
  spin out
3. 2c
  intransitive/transitive used when giving directions, for telling someone to continue in a particular direction
  keep right/left/straight on:
  Don’t go left down Priory Road: keep straight on.
  keep on/going:
  Keep on until you reach the traffic lights.
  Synonyms and related words
  To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
  head
  go
  progress
3
transitive to continue to have or own something
I think we should keep this one and sell the others.
Synonyms and related words
To keep something
set aside
collect
set apart
1. 3a
  used when you allow someone else to have something
  I’ve got two copies, so you can keep that one.
  She told the waiter to keep the change.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words meaning to give
  give
  present
  hand
2. 3b
  used about things that are important to you
  How can I stay here and keep my self-respect?
  Most employees will keep their jobs when the company changes hands.
  Synonyms and related words
  To keep something
  set aside
  collect
  set apart
4
transitive to store something in a particular place so that you know where it is
Read this letter carefully, and keep it in a safe place.
Where do you keep the washing powder?
Synonyms and related words
To keep something
set aside
collect
set apart
1. 4a
  to store information by writing it or putting it into a computer
  We keep all these transactions on file.
  keep a record/keep records:
  Some companies do not keep detailed records.
  keep a diary/journal:
  Every member of the group has to keep a diary.
  Synonyms and related words
  To use or program a computer
  access
  archive
  back up
5
transitive to control something so that it stays within a limit
Costs must be kept within reasonable limits.
Synonyms and related words
To limit or control something or someone
draw a line in the sand
limit
control
1. 5a
  intransitive to stay within a limit
  keep within:
  I am trying to keep within budget.
  Synonyms and related words
  To limit or control something or someone
  draw a line in the sand
  limit
  control
6
transitive to do what you said you would do
If you cannot keep your appointment, please let us know.
keep a promise:
I have tried to keep my promise.
keep your word:
He promised the family, and I think he will keep his word.
Synonyms and related words
To keep a promise
keep
hold to
stick to
7
transitive to provide money for yourself or someone else, in order to pay for the food, clothes, and other things that you or they need
She keeps the family on two hundred pounds a week.
keep someone in something (=pay for them to buy it):
His pay doesn’t even keep the family in food.
Synonyms and related words
To spend or to pay money
disburse
spend
pay
8
transitive to own animals and look after them
A few cows are kept to provide milk, cheese, and cream.
I have been keeping tropical fish for twenty years.
Synonyms and related words
To own something, or to be owned
belong to
own
possess
Synonyms and related words
Animal farming
brand
brand
cattle prod
9
intransitive if food or other substances keep for a particular period of time, they stay in good condition for that period of time
Perfume doesn’t keep indefinitely, you know.
keep for:
The sauce will keep for two weeks in the fridge.
Synonyms and related words
To remain the same, or to keep something the same
maintain
withstand
stabilize
10
intransitive always progressiveBritishspokenused for asking if someone is well
Are you keeping well?
How are you keeping?
Synonyms and related words
Ways of asking questions and making requests
after you
any chance of...?
any luck?
11
transitive spokento delay someone
What kept you?
I won’t keep you long.
Synonyms and related words
To delay someone, or to make someone wait
delay
set back
hold up
12
it’ll keep
spoken
used for saying that something is not urgent and can be told or done laterSubmitted by:
Ismail from Russian Federation on 06/05/2017
Open Dictionary - May2017
13
keep it together
remain calm and collected in a stressful situation
Though Jessica managed to keep it together while in her granny’s ward, she broke down completely on leaving the hospital.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 30/04/2014
Open Dictionary - April2014

phrases

keep at it

keep going

keep something to yourself

keep yourself to yourself

you can’t keep a good man/woman down

phrasal verbs

keep away

keep back

keep down

keep from

keep in

keep in with

keep off

keep on

keep out

keep out of

keep to

keep up

keep

verb

US /kip/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	keep
he/she/it	keeps
present participle	keeping
past tense	kept
past participle	kept

1
intransitive to stay in a state, position, or place without changing or moving
Keep still while I brush your hair.
People kept quiet because they were afraid.
The kids keep cool by swimming in the river.
I walked along the hall, keeping close to the side.
Synonyms and related words
To remain in a place or situation
remain
stay
wait
1. 1a
  transitive to make someone or something stay in a state, position, or place
  Keep her warm and give her plenty to drink.
  Christina kept her voice low.
  The police tried to keep the two rival groups apart.
  We want to keep the training school open.
  Why can’t we just keep things simple?
  keep someone/something under observation:
  The patient is being kept under observation.
  keep someone/something under control:
  They do not understand the importance of keeping costs under control.
  Synonyms and related words
  To be in a particular position or place
  occupy
  set
  exist
2
transitive to make someone continue doing something
keep someone doing something:
Sorry to keep you waiting.
She kept me talking for forty-five minutes.
Synonyms and related words
To make something continue or last longer
prolong
draw out
perpetuate
1. 2a
  intransitive/transitive used when giving directions, for telling someone to continue in a particular direction
  keep right/left/straight on:
  Don’t go left down Maple Road: keep straight on.
  keep on/going:
  Keep on until you reach the lights.
  Synonyms and related words
  To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
  head
  go
  progress
2. 2b
  transitive to do something many times, or to continue doing it
  keep doing something:
  I keep on telling you but you won’t listen.
  Keep taking the tablets.
  I keep forgetting to turn the burglar alarm on.
  Synonyms and related words
  To continue something, or to continue to do something
  continue
  go on
  follow through
3. 2c
  transitive to make something continue to operate or exist
  keep something doing something:
  We need more money to keep the farm going.
  Synonyms and related words
  To make something continue or last longer
  prolong
  draw out
  perpetuate
3
transitive to continue to have or own something
I think we should keep this one car and sell the others.
Synonyms and related words
To keep something
set aside
collect
store up
1. 3a
  used when you allow someone else to have something
  I’ve got two copies, so you can keep that one.
  She told the waiter to keep the change.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words meaning to give
  give
  present
  hand
2. 3b
  used about things that are important to you
  How can I stay here and keep my self-respect?
  Most employees will keep their jobs when the company changes hands.
  Synonyms and related words
  To keep something
  set aside
  collect
  store up
4
transitive to store something in a particular place so that you know where it is
Read this letter carefully, and keep it in a safe place.
Where do you keep the detergent?
Synonyms and related words
To keep something
set aside
collect
store up
1. 4a
  to store information by writing it or putting it into a computer
  We keep all these transactions on file.
  keep a record/keep records:
  Some companies do not keep detailed records.
  keep a diary/journal:
  Every member of the group has to keep a diary.
  Synonyms and related words
  To use or program a computer
  access
  archive
  author
5
transitive to control something so that it stays within a limit
Expenses must be kept to a minimum.
Synonyms and related words
To limit or control something or someone
draw a line in the sand
limit
control
1. 5a
  intransitive to stay within a limit
  keep within:
  I am trying to keep within a budget.
  Synonyms and related words
  To limit or control something or someone
  draw a line in the sand
  limit
  control
6
transitive to do what you said you would do
If you cannot keep your appointment, please let us know.
keep a promise:
I have tried to keep my promise.
keep your word:
He promised the family, and I think he will keep his word.
Synonyms and related words
To keep a promise
keep
hold to
stick to
7
transitive to provide money for yourself or someone else, in order to pay for the food, clothes, and other things that you or they need
She keeps the family on two hundred dollars a week.
keep someone in something (=pay for them to buy it):
His pay doesn’t even keep the family in food.
Synonyms and related words
To spend or to pay money
disburse
spend
pay
8
transitive to own animals and take care of them
A few cows are kept to provide milk, cheese, and cream.
I have been keeping tropical fish for twenty years.
Synonyms and related words
To own something, or to be owned
belong to
own
possess
Synonyms and related words
Animal farming
brand
brand
cattle prod
9
intransitive if food or other substances keep for a particular period of time, they stay in good condition for that period of time
Perfume doesn’t keep indefinitely, you know.
keep for:
The cranberry sauce will keep for two weeks in the refrigerator.
Synonyms and related words
To remain the same, or to keep something the same
maintain
withstand
stabilize
10
intransitive always progressiveBritishspokenused for asking if someone is well
Are you keeping well?
How are you keeping?
Synonyms and related words
Ways of asking questions and making requests
any chance of...?
any luck?
any requests?
11
transitive spokento delay someone
What kept you?
I won’t keep you long.
Synonyms and related words
To delay someone, or to make someone wait
delay
set back
hold up
12
it’ll keep
spoken
used for saying that something is not urgent and can be told or done laterSubmitted by:
Ismail from Russian Federation on 06/05/2017
Open Dictionary - May2017
13
keep it together
remain calm and collected in a stressful situation
Though Jessica managed to keep it together while in her granny’s ward, she broke down completely on leaving the hospital.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 30/04/2014
Open Dictionary - April2014

phrases

keep at it

keep going

keep something to yourself

keep to yourself

you can’t keep a good man/woman down

phrasal verbs

keep away

keep back

keep down

keep from

keep in with

keep off

keep on

keep out

keep out of

keep to

keep up

keep

keep

keep ​‌‌‌

it’ll keep

keep it together

keep ​‌‌‌

it’ll keep

keep it together

keep

keep