keen

keen1 [ kin ] adjective *

▸ 1 about sense/ability

▸ 2 wind: cold and strong

▸ 3 very strong

▸ 4 blade: very sharp

▸ 5 wanting (someone) to do something

▸ 6 very interested in

1. ) keen sight, hearing, etc. makes you very good at seeing things, hearing things, etc.:

I have a very keen sense of smell.

a ) used about someone's mental abilities:

a keen mind/brain/intellect

b ) a keen eye for something an ability to notice and recognize something:

My friend's a tireless shopper with a keen eye for a bargain.

2. ) MAINLY LITERARY a keen wind is cold and strong

3. ) very strong:

a manager who takes a keen interest in his employees

4. ) LITERARY a keen blade is very sharp

5. ) MAINLY BRITISH wanting to do something or wanting other people to do something:

We are keen to encourage more local employers to work with us.

a ) MAINLY BRITISH wanting to do something well: ENTHUSIASTIC:

The students in this class are all very keen.

6. ) only before noun MAINLY BRITISH very interested in an activity that you do often because you enjoy it:

a keen hiker/gardener/amateur astronomer

a ) keen on something to be interested in something and enjoy it, especially an activity that you do often:

All the kids are keen on swimming.

b ) keen on someone INFORMAL to like someone or think that they are attractive

╾ keen|ness noun uncount

keen

keen 2 [ kin ] verb intransitive MAINLY LITERARY

to make a long high sound expressing pain or sadness