keenly
Americanadverb
-
in a way or to a degree that is very sharply or distinctly felt.
As a husband and father, he is keenly aware of the risks inherent in his new construction job.
-
in a way that shows great mental perceptiveness or insight.
He showed foreign policy savvy and an ability to keenly analyze both sides of an issue.
-
with strong or intense emotion or desire; eagerly.
We committee members are keenly interested in addressing these important issues head-on.
-
in a sharply focused way; intently.
Participants listened keenly to the training presentation.
Etymology
Origin of keenly
First recorded before 1000; keen 1 ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
Explanation
Keenly is used to describe things that are intense or deeply perceptive. If you're keenly aware that your sister is grouchy in the morning, you'll steer clear of her until lunch time. Sometimes keenly means "enthusiastically," like when you keenly anticipate the next installment in your favorite science fiction book series. In the U.S., it's more commonly used to describe a profound kind of intensity. A movie character might be keenly desperate; your friend may demonstrate how keenly intelligent she is during her debate; or you may keenly regret telling your grandmother what you really thought of her new tattoo.
Vocabulary lists containing keenly
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Investors are keenly awaiting the release of key US jobs data Friday, hoping for an idea about the state of the economy as the Federal Reserve plots its next moves on borrowing costs.
From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026
Advanced Micro Devices’ recent momentum in server chips means there will be two business areas keenly of interest to investors when the company reports second-quarter earnings on Tuesday.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026
The expense of graduation is keenly felt by many students and their families with costs ranging from transport and accommodation to clothing and photographs, says Tom Allingham of budgeting advice site Save The Student.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
But these two figures, created by one of our most keenly observant writers, deserve to be interpreted anew.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
“Indeed!” whispered Professor Trelawney, scribbling keenly on the parchment perched upon her knees.
From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
