having or showing eagerness or enthusiasm, having a sharp edge; intellectually sharp or penetrating, having a strong or urgent desire or interest

keen as mustard, make a keen observation, keen as a razor

keen on, keen eye, keen sense of smell

Formal and Informal Expressions of keen

In different contexts, you can replace 'keen' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'eager, enthusiastic, interested' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'into, up for, gung ho' is a commonplace synonym.

keen: Explore its Definition & Usage

keen Definition

1having or showing eagerness or enthusiasm
2having a sharp edge; intellectually sharp or penetrating
3having a strong or urgent desire or interest

Using keen: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "keen" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
She was keen to start her new job.
Example
He has a keen interest in music.
Example
The knife has a keen edge.
Example
She has a keen mind and is very analytical.
Example
I am keen to learn more about this topic.

keen Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for keen

Antonyms for keen

Idioms Using keen

keen as mustard
very enthusiastic or eager
Example
She was keen as mustard to start her new job.
make a keen observation
to notice something that others might miss
Example
He made a keen observation about the painting that no one else had noticed.
keen as a razor
very sharp or intelligent
Example
Her wit was as keen as a razor.

Phrases with keen

keen on
to be interested in or enthusiastic about something
Example
She's always been keen on sports.
keen eye
the ability to notice small details or things that are not easily seen
Example
As a detective, he had a keen eye for detail.
keen sense of smell
the ability to detect smells with great accuracy
Example
Dogs have a keen sense of smell and are often used to detect drugs or explosives.

Origins of keen

from Old English 'cene', meaning 'bold, brave'

📌

Summary: keen in Brief

The term 'keen' [kiːn] describes eagerness, enthusiasm, and interest. It can also refer to sharpness, both physical and intellectual. Examples include 'She was keen to start her new job,' and 'The knife has a keen edge.' 'Keen' extends into phrases like 'keen on,' and idioms like 'keen as mustard,' denoting high levels of enthusiasm, and 'make a keen observation,' implying a sharp eye for detail.