When someone is keen, they really want to do or have something. It shows excitement and strong interest.
She is keen to learn new skills.
He is keen on playing football.
Keen can describe a strong or sharp ability to sense things. It means the sense is very good or strong.
Dogs have a keen sense of smell.
She has keen hearing to notice sounds.
Keen can mean someone’s mind is very clear and smart. They notice things quickly and understand well.
He is a keen student who thinks fast.
She has a keen mind for problem-solving.
Keen can describe something that is very strong or hard to feel, like pain, wind, or emotion.
He felt a keen pain in his leg.
There was a keen wind outside today.
As a verb, to keen means to loudly cry or sing in sadness. It is often used in old Irish or Scottish traditions.
The family keened at the funeral.
She keened loudly for her lost friend.
