What is keen? Pronunciation and usage in English

keen means . Learn how to pronounce and use keen through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of keen

keenadjective

/kiːn/
Definition & pronunciation of keen

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "keen." It's a tricky one for some English learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /kiːn/ (rhymes with "bean" or "seen")

    • "K" sound: Like in "kite."
    • "ee" sound: Like in "see" or "meet." This is a long "e" sound.
    • "n" sound: A standard "n."

Here’s a breakdown with sounds:

  • K - as in "cat"
  • ee - as in "see"
  • n - as in "sun"

Tips for getting it right:

  • Focus on the long "ee" sound. This is the key difference between "keen" and words like "thin" or "spin" which have a short "i" sound.
  • Don’t be afraid of a slightly drawn-out "ee" sound. It's not a quick 'i' sound.

Resources to hear it:

  • Google Translate: Say "keen" into Google Translate and it will pronounce it for you.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/keen/ - This site has pronunciations from native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search "how to pronounce keen" on YouTube for videos demonstrating the sound.

Do you want me to:

  • Record an example pronunciation?
  • Give you a list of similar-sounding words and how to pronounce them?

Usage and examples with the word keen in English

Let's break down how to use the word "keen" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with a few different shades of meaning! Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. Keen (as in enthusiastic or eager):

  • Meaning: This is the most common usage. It describes a strong feeling of interest, enthusiasm, or eagerness about something.
  • Synonyms: enthusiastic, eager, interested, excited, keen on
  • Examples:
    • "I’m keen to try that new restaurant." (I'm very eager to try it.)
    • "She’s keen on learning to play the guitar." (She's enthusiastic about learning.)
    • "He’s keen to help with the project." (He's eager to volunteer.)
    • "I'm keen to hear your thoughts on the matter." (I'm very interested in hearing what you think.)

2. Keen (as in sharp or pointed):

  • Meaning: This usage is less common now, but refers to having a sharp edge or point.
  • Synonyms: sharp, pointed, acute
  • Examples:
    • "The knife has a keen edge." (The knife is very sharp.)
    • "His keen eyes spotted the mistake immediately." (His eyes were very sharp and observant.)
    • "He had a keen intellect." (He was very intelligent and perceptive)

3. Keen (as in wanting something badly):

  • Meaning: This describes a strong desire or longing.
  • Synonyms: longing, desirous, wanting
  • Examples:
    • “He was keen for a promotion.” (He really wanted a promotion badly.)
    • “She had a keen desire to travel the world.” (She really longed to travel.)

Phrases You’ll Often Hear With "Keen":

  • Keen on: (Most common for enthusiasm) – "He's keen on football."
  • Keen to: (Most common for eagerness/desire) – "I'm keen to go to the concert."
  • Keen interest: – “She has a keen interest in history.”

Tips for Using "Keen":

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning is intended.
  • Don't overuse it: While "keen" is a good word, it can sound a little overused in some situations. Consider alternative words like "interested," "eager," or "excited" for variety.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about using "keen" in? (e.g., describing your interests, talking about a plan, etc.)

Synonyms for the word keen

Idioms of the word keen

(as) keen as mustard
(British English, informal)wanting very much to do well at something; enthusiastic
    mad keen (on something/somebody)
    (British English, informal)liking something/somebody very much; very interested in something
    • He's mad keen on planes.

    Practice with vocabulary keen

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The research team developed a __________ interest in the ancient artifacts found at the excavation site.
    2. Despite the challenging weather, she was __________ to start the mountain climbing expedition early in the morning.
    3. The security guard's __________ attention to detail allowed him to spot the suspicious activity from a distance.
    4. The consultant provided a __________ analysis of the project risks, highlighting several critical areas for improvement.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

    1. Which word(s) best describe someone who is very enthusiastic about a new project? a) keen b) indifferent c) eager d) reluctant

    2. A highly competitive market can be described as: a) fierce b) mild c) keen d) gentle

    3. If someone has an excellent sense of hearing, their hearing is: a) dull b) acute c) sharp d) keen

    4. Which word(s) best describe a person who is careful and precise in their work? a) careless b) meticulous c) negligent d) diligent

    5. When you deeply understand a complex concept, you have developed a(n) __________ insight. a) superficial b) profound c) shallow d) astute

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Rewrite the sentence to include the word "keen": She expressed a strong desire to participate in the international conference.

    2. Rewrite the sentence, using a form of "keen" to describe the intelligence: The board members showed great intelligence in analyzing the complex financial data.

    3. Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement word for the underlined phrase (do not use "keen" or its forms): His ability to notice small details made him an excellent editor.

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The research team developed a keen interest in the ancient artifacts found at the excavation site.
    2. Despite the challenging weather, she was keen to start the mountain climbing expedition early in the morning.
    3. The security guard's meticulous (or vigilant) attention to detail allowed him to spot the suspicious activity from a distance.
    4. The consultant provided a thorough (or comprehensive) analysis of the project risks, highlighting several critical areas for improvement.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. a) keen, c) eager
    2. a) fierce, c) keen
    3. b) acute, c) sharp, d) keen
    4. b) meticulous, d) diligent
    5. b) profound, d) astute

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. She was keen to participate in the international conference.
    2. The board members showed keen intelligence in analyzing the complex financial data.
    3. His perceptive eye made him an excellent editor. (or His meticulous attention to detail made him an excellent editor.)

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