ENGLISH
REFERENCE

keen

n.
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈkin// UK //kˈiːn// keen Archaic General-service Informal

n. wanting to do something very much or being very interested in an activity. You can also use it to describe a sharp mind or a very strong sense, like smell.

n. demonstrating an intense desire or enthusiasm for an activity; also used to describe sharp intellectual perception or highly developed physical senses.


SIMPLE

She is a keen gardener and spends every weekend outside.

CONTEXTUAL

The company is keen to hire new graduates who show a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn.

COMPLEX

Despite his age, the professor retained a keen intellect and an uncanny ability to spot logical fallacies in his students' arguments.

Synonyms
Usage

When expressing enthusiasm, it is often followed by 'on' plus a noun or gerund, or by a 'to' infinitive.

Pitfall

He is keen for playing footballHe is keen on playing footballWhen followed by an -ing verb to show interest, use the preposition 'on' rather than 'for'.

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