Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Language: Old English
Origin: cene

keen

1 adjective
     
keen1 S3 W3
1

want something

especially British English wanting to do something or wanting something to happen very much [= eager]
keen to do something
He told me that he was keen to help.
keen on doing something
I wasn't keen on going there on my own.
keen for something to happen
The government is keen for peace talks to start again.
keen that
The chairman is keen that the company should expand its product range.
2

like

be keen on somebody/something

British English spoken to like someone or something:
I'm not keen on cabbage.
not too/not very/not that keen on something
She likes Biology, but she's not too keen on Physics.
My flatmates want to have a party, but I'm not keen on the idea.
3

hobby/interest

especially British English someone who is keen on something is very interested in it or enjoys doing it very much:
a keen photographer
keen golfers
keen on
Daniel's very keen on tennis.
mad keen on something (=very keen on something) spoken:
I was mad keen on dinosaurs when I was little.
She takes a keen interest in politics and current affairs.
4

eager to work/learn

someone who is keen is eager to work or learn and enjoys doing it:
keen students
The kids in my class are all very keen.
She was new in the job and keen as mustard (=very keen).
5

sight/smell/hearing

a keen sense of smell or keen sight or hearing is an extremely good ability to smell etc:
Dogs have a very keen sense of smell.
She has a keen eye for (=is good at noticing) talent.
6

mind

someone with a keen mind is quick to understand things:
a keen understanding of commerce
With her keen mind and good business sense, she soon became noticed.
7

feeling

a keen feeling is one that is strong and deep:
As she walked away, Joe felt a keen sense of loss.
8

competition

used to describe a situation in which people compete strongly:
We won the contest in the face of keen competition.
9

attracted

British English

; be keen on somebody

to be sexually attracted to someone
10

sharp

literary a keen knife or blade is extremely sharp
11

wind

old-fashioned a keen wind is cold and strong
12

prices

British English keen prices are low
—keenly adverb:
I was keenly aware of the dangers.
—keenness noun [uncountable]
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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