[
UK
/kˈiːn/
]
[ US /ˈkin/ ]
[ US /ˈkin/ ]
ADJECTIVE
-
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang
frequent penetrative observations
penetrating insight
an acute observer of politics and politicians
incisive comments
icy knifelike reasoning -
intense or sharp
felt exquisite pleasure
suffered exquisite pain -
painful as if caused by a sharp instrument
piercing criticism
piercing cold
a cutting wind
lancinating pain
a stabbing pain
piercing knifelike pains
keen winds
knifelike cold -
having a sharp cutting edge or point
a keen blade -
very good
you look simply smashing
we had a grand old time
a neat sports car
had a great time at the party
he did a bully job
NOUN
- a funeral lament sung with loud wailing
VERB
-
express grief verbally
we lamented the death of the child
How To Use keen In A Sentence
- His interest in public affairs, especially in social questions, was keener.
- Animals are humanized, that is, the kinship between animal and human life is still keenly felt, and this reminds us of those early animistic interpretations of nature which subsequently led to doctrines of metempsychosis. The Art of the Story-Teller
- Competition is keen and candidates must offer a minimum of an upper second class honours degree together with evidence of satisfactory financial arrangements.
- Somebody comes forward, examines, and then draws from out the grave, where it has lain, directly under the body, a knife -- a knife of peculiar shape and workmanship -- a long, keen, _surgeon's knife_! The Diamond Coterie
- In the end the keeners stalked the funeral processions screaming and shrieking all the more like vengeful banshees and had to be chased by the priests.
- Those who were less keen to compete for migrants could resort to convicts as casual labour.
- Thirteen months on from his last visit to Wales, he is keen to put the record straight. Times, Sunday Times
- Then the pleasant little surprises of all kinds that we imagined; and the pleasant looks that greet us when we condescend to accept them; the patience that can translate our most unwarrantable "crossness", because there has been some trifling difficulty in obtaining the half of a star or the corner of a moon which it had pleased us to require, into "such a good sign of being really better"; and then our appetite (which the gods know is at that season singularly keen), how is it not tempted with unutterable dainties and friande morsels, all sorts of amateur cookery in our behalf, where Love himself has not disdained to turn the spit, and look into the stewpan! and all served up so gracefully on the small tray, covered with its delicate white damask cloth, arraying with more than mortal charms the moulds of crystal jelly and pure-looking blanc mange! Zoe: The History of Two Lives
- It was really good fun and they were all keen sailors and enthusiastic. Times, Sunday Times
- The President is keen to notch a political triumph that would foster freer world trade and faster economic growth.