keen
If you have a keen interest in something, you are really, really into it. Keen is an adjective that describes something that is intense, sharp, or focused.
The word keen comes from the Old English word cene that translates to "bold and brave" and while the spelling is now really different, the sounds are similar. Variations of keen as being "bold" and "strong" show up in other languages, but only English has the meaning of "sharp" — relating to "an edge or blade." Keen has a lot of close — and brutal — synonyms, such as caustic , cutting , piercing , and penetrating . It can also be used as a verb to mean "express grief or pain out loud."
Definitions of keen
adjective
intense or sharp
synonyms:
exquisite , searing
intense
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
adjective
having a sharp cutting edge or point
“a
keen blade”
Synonyms:
sharp
having or made by a thin edge or sharp point; suitable for cutting or piercing
adjective
painful as if caused by a sharp instrument
“keen winds”
synonyms:
cutting , knifelike , lancinate , lancinating , piercing , stabbing
sharp
keenly and painfully felt; as if caused by a sharp edge or point
adjective
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
synonyms:
acute , discriminating , incisive , knifelike , penetrating , penetrative , piercing , sharp
perceptive
having the ability to perceive or understand; keen in discernment
synonyms:
bang-up , bully , corking , cracking , dandy , great , groovy , neat , nifty , not bad , peachy , slap-up , smashing , swell
good
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
adjective
having or showing great excitement and interest
synonyms:
enthusiastic
ardent , warm
characterized by strong enthusiasm
avid , zealous
marked by active interest and enthusiasm
crazy , dotty , gaga , wild
intensely enthusiastic about or preoccupied with
evangelical , evangelistic
marked by ardent or zealous enthusiasm for a cause
glowing
highly enthusiastic
gung ho
very enthusiastic and dedicated
overenthusiastic
unduly enthusiastic
passionate
having or expressing strong emotions
spirited
displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness
adjective
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
synonyms:
agog , eager
anxious , dying
eagerly desirous
hot
having or showing great eagerness or enthusiasm
impatient , raring
(usually followed by 'to') full of eagerness
overeager
excessively eager
enthusiastic
having or showing great excitement and interest
noun
a funeral lament sung with loud wailing
verb
express grief verbally
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