- (especially British English) wanting to do something or wanting something to happen very much synonym eager
- keen to do something John was very keen to help.
- keen for somebody/something to do something Her parents were keen for her to go to university.
- He is keen for the deal to proceed.
- keen that… We are keen that our school should get involved too.
- keen on doing something I wasn't too keen on going to the party.
Extra ExamplesTopics Feelingsb1- She is extremely keen to remain with the police and we are equally keen to retain her.
- The banks were not at all keen to lend to somebody who actually seemed to need money.
- He was naturally keen to make a good impression.
- She was always keen to hear the local gossip.
- We are keen that Britain should get involved too.
- They were desperately keen for information.
- I waited a few days before putting in an offer on the property so as not to appear too keen.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- appear
- be
- look
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- for
- on
- as keen as mustard
- [usually before noun] (especially British English) enthusiastic about an activity or idea, etc.
- a keen sportsman/gardener
- one of the keenest supporters of the team
- She was a star pupil—keen, confident and bright.
- (British English, informal) liking somebody/something very much; very interested in somebody/something
- They've been on a few dates together and Naomi seems really keen.
- keen on somebody/something Tom's very keen on Anna.
- He's particularly keen on football.
- Sally's quite keen on the idea.
- keen on doing something She's not keen on being told what to do.
Synonyms likelikelove ▪ be fond of ▪ be keen on something ▪ adoreThese words all mean to find something pleasant, attractive or of a good enough standard, or to enjoy something.like to find something pleasant, attractive or of a good enough standard; to enjoy something:Topics Preferences and decisionsb1- Do you like their new house?
- I like to see them enjoying themselves.
- He loved the way she smiled.
- We were fond of the house and didn’t want to leave.
- I’m not keen on spicy food.
- She’s not keen on being told what to do.
- She adores working with children.
- to like/love/be fond of/be keen on/adore doing something
- to like/love to do something
- to like/love something very much
- I like/love/adore it here/there/when…
- to like/love/adore the way somebody does something
- to really like/love/adore somebody/something
- to be really fond of/keen on something
- [only before noun] quick to understand synonym sharp, acute
- a keen mind/intellect
- [usually before noun] strong or deep
- a keen sense of tradition
- He took a keen interest in his grandson's education.
- [only before noun] highly developed synonym sharp
- Dogs have a keen sense of smell.
- My friend has a keen eye for (= is good at noticing) a bargain.
- involving people competing very hard with each other for something
- There is keen competition for places at the college.
- They were keen rivals.
- It was the subject of keen debate.
- (especially British English) kept low in order to compete with other prices synonym competitive
- The company hopes its keen pricing policy will increase sales.
- (literary) extremely cold
- [usually before noun] (literary) having a sharp edge or point synonym sharp
eager/enthusiastic
liking somebody/something
clever
ideas/feelings
senses
competition
prices
wind
knife
Word Originadjective Old English cēne ‘wise, clever’, also ‘brave, daring’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch koen and German kühn ‘bold, brave’. Current senses date from Middle English.
Idioms
See keen in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee keen in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English(as) keen as mustard
- (British English, informal) wanting very much to do well at something; enthusiastic
mad keen (on something/somebody)
- (British English, informal) liking something/somebody very much; very interested in something
- He's mad keen on planes.
Check pronunciation:
keen