keen

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of keen

First recorded 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”

synonym study for keen

1, 4. See sharp. 5. See avid.

OTHER WORDS FROM keen

keen·ly, adverbkeen·ness, noun

Other definitions for keen (2 of 2)

keen²

[ keen ]

/ kin /

noun

a wailing lament for the dead.

verb (used without object)

to wail in lamentation for the dead.

verb (used with object)

to mourn for by or with such keening or wailing: keening his mother while kneeling at her grave.

Origin of keen

First recorded in 1780–90 for the verb; from Irish caoin-, stem of caoinim “(I) lament”; noun derivative of the verb

OTHER WORDS FROM keen

keener, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use keen in a sentence

The researchers were keen on using this data because the analysis included the use of a sophisticated kind of MRI that can see microstructural changes in the brain.
Everyone should have a social life, especially older adults|Kat Eschner|October 20, 2020|Popular-Science
We’re keen to hear from people with interesting, provocative, and well-argued opinions on technology and where it’s taking us.
How to pitch and write an opinion piece for MIT Technology Review|Amy Nordrum|October 15, 2020|MIT Technology Review
The country has just eight laureates to its name, and it’s keen on scientific advances to earn more to improve its global stature.
A Nobel Pursuit Gone Wrong?|Tracy Moran|October 11, 2020|Ozy
If your loved one isn’t super keen on a high-tech personal massager, you can’t go wrong with massage balls.
These massagers make excellent gifts|PopSci Commerce Team|October 1, 2020|Popular-Science

I have often wondered whether he has been infected with a fungus that fills him with mycological zeal—and an irrepressible urge to persuade humans that fungi are keen to partner with us in new and peculiar ways.
The Fungal Evangelist Who Would Save the Bees - Issue 90: Something Green|Merlin Sheldrake|September 23, 2020|Nautilus
From behind the first keened once more that ghastly and smothered escape of suffering, scarcely audible.
The Gray Mask|Wadsworth Camp
He emptied it just before the warning sirens keened through the thin air.
The Man Who Hated Mars|Gordon Randall Garrett
Wind keened in from the lake, and the waves assaulting the sand beach made themselves heard.
The Spell of the White Sturgeon|James Arthur Kjelgaard
The carbines rang out the parting volleys, and Bradley's trumpet keened a wailing farewell.
Campaigning with Crook and Stories of Army Life|Charles King
A jaunt, such as she had taken that morning, always keened the edge of her appetite; and yet, there was no craving whatever.
The Carpet from Bagdad|Harold MacGrath

British Dictionary definitions for keen (1 of 2)

keen¹

/ (kiːn) /

adjective

eager or enthusiastic

(postpositive foll by on) fond (of); devoted (to)keen on a girl; keen on golf

intellectually acutea keen wit

(of sight, smell, hearing, etc) capable of recognizing fine distinctions

having a sharp cutting edge or point

extremely cold and penetratinga keen wind

intense or stronga keen desire

mainly British extremely low so as to be competitivekeen prices

slang, mainly US and Canadian very good

Derived forms of keen

keenly, adverbkeenness, noun

Word Origin for keen

Old English cēne; related to Old High German kuoni brave, Old Norse koenn wise; see can 1, know

British Dictionary definitions for keen (2 of 2)

keen²

/ (kiːn) /

verb (intr)

to lament the dead

noun

a dirge or lament for the dead

Derived forms of keen

keener, noun

Word Origin for keen

C19: from Irish Gaelic caoine, from Old Irish coīnim I wail

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

keen

OTHER WORDS FOR keen

OPPOSITES FOR keen

Origin of keen

synonym study for keen

OTHER WORDS FROM keen

Other definitions for keen (2 of 2)

Origin of keen

OTHER WORDS FROM keen

Words related to keen

How to use keen in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for keen (1 of 2)

Derived forms of keen

Word Origin for keen

British Dictionary definitions for keen (2 of 2)

Derived forms of keen

Word Origin for keen