keen

I UK [kiːn] / US [kɪn] adjective
Word forms "keen":
adjective keen comparative keener superlative keenest
***

1)

a) wanting to do something, or wanting other people to do something

be keen to do something:

The government is keen to avoid further conflict with the unions.

very/particularly keen:

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

be keen on doing something:

The captain wasn't keen on having him in the team.

be keen for someone to do something:

Of course I'm keen for him to be successful.

b) wanting to do something well

Many of our players are very young and keen.

The students in this class are all very keen.

2) [only before noun] very interested in an activity that you do often because you enjoy it

a keen cyclist/gardener/amateur historian

3) very strong

His business training was combined with a keen sense of duty.

a keen awareness of the importance of IT to industry

a keen interest in something:

Mr Lindsay always took a keen interest in his pupils' achievements.

4)

a) keen sight, hearing etc makes you very good at seeing things, hearing things etc

Vultures are known for their extremely keen eyesight.

I have a very keen sense of smell.

b) used about someone's mental abilities

a keen mind/brain/intellect

5) mainly literary a keen wind is cold and strong

6) literary a keen blade is very sharp

•

(as) keen as mustard — British

informal wanting to do something very much

- a keen eye for something

- keen on someone

- keen on something

Derived word:
keenness
noun uncountable
II UK [kiːn] / US [kɪn] verb [intransitive]
Word forms "keen":
present tense I/you/we/they keen he/she/it keens present participle keening past tense keened past participle keened mainly literary

to make a long high sound expressing pain or sadness