keen

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

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.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

Lest we forget, the Republican candidate in 2012 with the keenest interest in technology was Texas Governor Rick Perry.
Stuart Stevens, Half Right|David Frum|February 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
If she were a real person, Daria, who had the keenest eye for irony of her generation, would just love that.
The Revenge of Daria|Rebecca Dana|May 15, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Those were the days when between the Scottish railway companies the keenest rivalry and the bitterest competition existed.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
The keenest lawyer in our county is not so clever a cross-examiner as his sister when she sits with her needles and yarn.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd

There was a Miss Mayblunt, no longer in her teens, who looked at the world through lorgnettes and with the keenest interest.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
The death of Harcla, the keenest and ablest warrior in141 England, did not remove the difficulties from Edward's path.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison
Surely Monsieur de Condillac was possessed of the keenest sense of humour in all France.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

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