keto

¹ American  

[kee-toh] / ˈki toʊ /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. of or derived from a ketone.

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keto- ² American  

1. a combining form representing ketone in compound words.

   ketolysis.

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keto- British  

combining form

1. indicating that a chemical compound is a ketone or is derived from a ketone

   ketose

   ketoxime

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Usage

What does keto mean? Keto is short for ketogenic, referring to a diet that is low in carbohydrates but high in protein. While originating as a medical diet, it's popularly associated with weight loss.

Etymology

Origin of keto

First recorded in 1910–15; independent use of keto-

Example Sentences

I had a keto diet for most of this tour, and I thought that when I got back to carbs, I’d be more in moderation with it.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

These people probably enjoy Ironman competitions, keto and intermittent fasting.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

Chaix, Ducker, and Hilgendorf also stress that their study is one specific type of cancer adapting to an obese environment, and that the keto diet may be beneficial for other types of cancer.

From Science Daily • Oct. 19, 2025

You have to do keto but also be vegan.

From Slate • Jan. 1, 2025

Todd also went along with the keto configurations, saying that his organic-chemist friends had drawn enol groups for purely arbitrary reasons.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson