The words acute and sharp are common synonyms of keen. While all three words mean "having or showing alert competence and clear understanding," keen suggests quickness, enthusiasm, and a penetrating mind. In what contexts can acute take the place of keen?
What is the meaning of the word keen?
Variations of keen as being "bold" and "strong" show up in other languages like Old Norse, German, Dutch, but apparently only English has the meaning of "sharp" — relating to "an edge or blade.". Keen has a lot of close — and brutal — synonyms, such as caustic, cutting, piercing, and penetrating!
What is the difference between Sharp and keen?
While the synonyms sharp and keen are close in meaning, sharp implies quick perception, clever resourcefulness, or sometimes questionable trickiness. Get Word of the Day daily email! Love words? Need even more definitions?
What does a keen interest in mean?
3 : very excited about and interested in something She's a keen tennis player. = She's keen about tennis. He's a keen student of art history. = He has a keen interest in art history.
What does it mean to have a keen intellect?
A keen intellect is one that’s sharp in the sense of being mentally strong. A keen desire is an intense one. A keen satire and a keen wind are both piercing and biting—they both sting.
What does keen on mean?
interested in something and enjoying it, especially an activity that you do often. All the kids are keen on swimming. He's also very keen on modern painters.
What is an example of keen?
The definition of keen is something sharp or intense. An example of keen is a sharp knife. An example of keen is a witty sense of humor. adjective. (slang) Great; splendid; fine.
How do you use keen in a sentence?
Keen sentence exampleHe continued to take a keen interest in art and science. ... He wasn't too keen on the idea when she first told him about it. ... He was a fine horseman and keen hunter. ... She kept a keen eye out for the same kind of weed and was surprised at how much they found.More items...
What does keen focus mean?
If you have a keen interest in something, you are really, really into it. Keen is an adjective that describes something that is intense, sharp, or focused.
Does keen mean smart?
What does keen mean? Keen commonly means eager, interested, or enthusiastic. This sense of the word is often followed by about or on and the particular interest, as in He's very keen on music.
Would you be keen meaning?
very interested, eager, or wanting (to do) something very much: They were very keen to start work as soon as possible.
What does keen ability mean?
adjective. having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions. synonyms: acute, discriminating, incisive, knifelike, penetrating, penetrative, piercing, sharp perceptive. having the ability to perceive or understand; keen in discernment. adjective.
What does keen on me mean?
DEFINITIONS1. liking someone, or thinking that they are attractive. He seems pretty keen on her.
What does it mean to be keen?
If you have a keen interest in something, you are really, really into it. Keen is an adjective that describes something that is intense, sharp, or focused. The word keen comes from the Old English word cene that translates to "bold and brave" and while the spelling is now really different, the sounds are similar.
What is a sharp blade?
having a sharp cutting edge or point. “a keen blade”. Synonyms: sharp. having or made by a thin edge or sharp point; suitable for cutting or piercing. adjective. painful as if caused by a sharp instrument. “ keen winds”. synonyms: cutting, knifelike, lancinate, lancinating, piercing, stabbing.
How does the adjective keen contrast with its synonyms?
The words acute and sharp are common synonyms of keen. While all three words mean "having or showing alert competence and clear understanding," keen suggests quickness, enthusiasm, and a penetrating mind.
In what contexts can acute take the place of keen?
The meanings of acute and keen largely overlap; however, acute implies a power to penetrate and may suggest subtlety and sharpness of discrimination.
When would sharp be a good substitute for keen?
While the synonyms sharp and keen are close in meaning, sharp implies quick perception, clever resourcefulness, or sometimes questionable trickiness.
What is a keen sense?
A keen sense of smell is one that’s very strong and perceptive. A keen intellect is one that’s sharp in the sense of being mentally strong. A keen desire is an intense one. A keen satire and a keen wind are both piercing and biting—they both sting.
What does "keen" mean in music?
Keen commonly means eager, interested, or enthusiastic. This sense of the word is often followed by about or on and the particular interest, as in He’s very keen on music. More generally, keen means sharp, intense, or strong. It can be used to mean sharp in a literal way, as in a keen blade. It can also be used in several figurative ways.
Where does the word "keen" come from?
It comes from the Old English word cēne and is related to the Old Norse kœnn, meaning “wise, skillful.”. Keen wasn’t used in a slang way to mean “excellent” until the 1900s. Keen can be used in a number of different ways, but most of them involve enthusiasm, intensity, or (literal or figurative) sharpness.
What does "peeky keen" mean?
The word keen can also be used as a slang term meaning wonderful or splendid, and this is how it’s used in the phrase peachy keen, which is used as an informal and playful way to describe something as excellent or wonderful. Example: He showed keen jealousy over my keen knife.
What does "understanding" mean?
understanding. mental process of a person who comprehends; comprehension; personal interpretation: My understanding of the word does not agree with yours. intellectual faculties; intelligence; mind: a quick understanding.
What is the meaning of understanding?
a state of cooperative or mutually tolerant relations between people: To him, understanding and goodwill were the supreme virtues. a mutual agreement, especially of a private, unannounced, or tacit kind: They had an understanding about who would do the dishes.
What does "personal opinion" mean?
personal opinion or interpretation of a subject my understanding of your predicament. a mutual agreement or compact, esp an informal or private one. mainly British an unofficial engagement to be married. philosophy archaic the mind, esp the faculty of reason. on the understanding that with the condition that; providing.
What is the meaning of "enlightened"?
intellectual faculties; intelligence; mind: a quick understanding. superior power of discernment; enlightened intelligence: With her keen understanding she should have become a leader. knowledge of or familiarity with a particular thing; skill in dealing with or handling something: an understanding of accounting practice.
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