kean
B1Neutral, leaning slightly formal; widely used in both spoken and written English.
Definition
Meaning
Having or showing eagerness, enthusiasm, or a strong interest.
Can also mean sharp (physically or mentally), intellectually quick, intense, or penetrating (as of a wind or sound).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Used both literally (a keen edge) and figuratively (a keen mind, keen interest). The figurative sense is more common in contemporary usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The adjective 'keen' is common in both, but 'keen on [something/someone]' is more frequent in BrE. In AmE, 'eager' or 'enthusiastic' might be used more often.
Connotations
In BrE, 'keen' can imply a more restrained, steady enthusiasm, while in AmE, it might sound slightly British or formal.
Frequency
Higher frequency in BrE overall, especially in the construction 'keen on'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be keen on + noun/gerund (BrE)be keen to + infinitivekeen + noun (attributive)adverb + keen (e.g., particularly keen)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A keen eye for detail”
- “Keen as mustard (BrE, informal)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"We are keen to explore a partnership." (Expresses strong, polite interest.)
Academic
"She has a keen intellect and a sharp analytical mind."
Everyday
"He's really keen on football." (BrE) / "She's keen to get started."
Technical
Rare. In metallurgy/tools: "a blade with a keen edge."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (archaic/poetic) The north wind keeneth.
American English
- (rare) To keen over a loss (meaning to wail mournfully).
adverb
British English
- (rare, poetic) The wind blew keen.
American English
- (obsolete) Look keenly at the evidence.
adjective
British English
- She's always been keen on cricket.
- They were keen for the project to succeed.
American English
- He has a keen interest in American history.
- The knife had a keen blade.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My brother is keen on computer games.
- She was keen to help.
- He's a keen photographer and travels a lot.
- The company is keen to expand into new markets.
- A keen sense of smell is crucial for a perfumer.
- I'm not overly keen on the idea, to be honest.
- Her keen analysis of the market trends gave us a significant advantage.
- The critics were keenly anticipating the director's latest film.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a KEEN person's eyes being as sharp and bright as a new KEEN brand knife.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENTHUSIASM IS SHARPNESS / INTELLIGENCE IS SHARPNESS (a keen mind, keen wit).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not related to Russian 'кин' (film). Avoid translating 'keen on' directly as 'to like' – it's stronger. It's closer to 'увлекаться' or 'быть страстно заинтересованным'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'keen about' instead of 'keen on' (BrE). Overusing in AmE where 'eager' or 'really like' might be more natural.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'keen' in modern usage?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it's less common than in British English and can sound slightly formal or British. Americans more frequently say 'eager to' or 'enthusiastic about'.
'Keen' often implies a longer-lasting, steady enthusiasm or intellectual sharpness. 'Eager' suggests more immediate, impatient excitement about something about to happen.
Yes, its original and literal meaning is 'sharp'. This is still correct but less common in everyday talk than the figurative meanings.
It is overwhelmingly used as an adjective. Its use as a verb (to wail) is rare/archaic, and as an adverb (keenly) is standard but derived.