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   keen

   /kiːn/

   adjective

   • 1. having or showing eagerness or enthusiasm: British "a keen gardener" Similar eageranxiousimpatientdetermineddesirouslongingwishingitchingdyingyearningambitiousreadyintent oninformal:raringenthusiasticavideagerardentpassionateferventfervidimpassionedwholeheartedzestfulzealousdrivenwillingconscientiouscommitteddedicateddiligentearnestindustriousassiduousintentOpposite reluctantapathetichalf-hearted
   • ▪ interested in or attracted by (someone or something): "Bob makes it obvious he's keen on her" Similar enthusiastic aboutinterested inpassionate aboutfascinated byattracted tofond oftaken withsmitten withenamoured ofattached todevoted toinfatuated witheager forhungry forinformal:struck onsweet ongone onmad aboutcrazy aboutnuts aboutintotwitterpated byOpposite unenthusiasticindifferent
   • 2. (of a sense) highly developed: "I have keen eyesight" Similar acutesharppenetratingdiscerningsensitiveperceptivepiercingclearobservantpowerfulOpposite weakdefective
   • ▪ having or showing great perception or insight: "her keen intellect" Similar acutepenetratingastuteincisivesharpperceptivepiercingrapier-likerazor-likerazor-sharpperspicaciousshrewdsubtlefinely honedquick-wittedsharp-witteddiscerningcleverintelligentbrilliantbrightsmartwisecannypercipientinsightfulsagacioussapientinformal:brainygeniusOpposite dullstupid
   • 3. (of the edge or point of a blade) sharp: "the keen blade went through the weeds" Similar sharpsharp-edgedsharpenedhonedrazor-likerazor-sharpwhettedfine-edgedOpposite blunt
   • ▪ (of the air or wind) extremely cold; biting: "a keen wind cut through their thick overalls" Similar coldicyfreezingharshrawbitterpenetratingpiercingbitingsharpstinginginformal:Baltic
   • ▪ (of a smell, light, or sound) penetrating; clear: literary "ear-splitting explosive bursts, keen and sharp"
   • 4. (of activity or feeling) intense: British "there could be keen competition to provide the service" Similar intenseacuteextremefierceviolentpassionateconsumingburningferventfervidardentstrongpowerfulprofounddeep-seated
   • ▪ (of prices) very low; competitive: "we offer extremely keen rates"
   • 5. excellent: informal, dated North American "I would soon fly to distant stars—how keen!"

   Word Origin Old Englishcēne ‘wise, clever’, also ‘brave, daring’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch koen and German kühn ‘bold, brave’. Current senses date from Middle English.

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • K

     5

   • E

     1

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

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