Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Having a sharp edge or point: Describing something that is finely sharpened and can cut or pierce effectively.
   • Intense or penetrating: Describing sensations (like cold or pain) or qualities (like criticism or intellect) that are very strong, acute, or deeply felt.
   • Showing eagerness or enthusiasm: Describing a person who is very interested in or enthusiastic about something.
   • Excellent or splendid: (Informal, chiefly British) Describing something very good or impressive.

2. Noun:

   • A lament for the dead: A loud, wailing song or cry expressing grief, especially at a funeral (primarily associated with Irish tradition).

3. Verb:

   • To lament or wail mournfully: To express grief, especially by singing or crying loudly.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • He used a keen blade to carve the wood. (Describing a sharp tool.)
  • She felt a keen pain in her side. (Describing intense physical sensation.)
  • He has a keen mind for solving puzzles. (Describing sharp intellect.)
  • She is a keen gardener. (Describing enthusiastic interest.)
  • (British informal) That's a keen idea! (Describing something excellent.)

• Noun:

  • The mourners sang a traditional keen at the funeral.

• Verb:

  • The women began to keen as the coffin was lowered.

Advanced Usage

• "Keen on (something/someone)": To be very interested in or fond of something or someone.

  • He's very keen on classical music.
  • She wasn't keen on the proposal.

• "Keen to (do something)": To be very eager or willing to do something.

  • I'm keen to start my new job.

• "Keen eye/ear for...": Having a sharp ability to notice or appreciate something.

  • A good editor has a keen eye for detail.

Variants and Related Words

• Keenly (adverb): In an intense, eager, or sharp manner.

  • He was keenly aware of the risks.
  • She listened keenly to the lecture.

• Keenness (noun): The quality or state of being keen.

  • Her keenness for learning is admirable.

Synonyms

• Adjective (sharp): Sharp, acute, razor-sharp.
• Adjective (intense): Acute, piercing, severe, intense.
• Adjective (eager): Enthusiastic, eager, avid, ardent.
• Noun (lament): Lament, wail, dirge, elegy.
• Verb (lament): Lament, wail, mourn, bewail.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• As keen as mustard: (British, informal) Extremely eager or enthusiastic.

  • The new intern is as keen as mustard.

• Keen interest: A strong and active interest.

  • He takes a keen interest in local politics.

• Keen sense of...: A strong, intuitive understanding or feeling.

  • She has a keen sense of justice.

Adjective

1. having a sharp cutting edge or point
   • a keen blade
2. painful as if caused by a sharp instrument
   • a cutting wind
   • keen winds
   • knifelike cold
   • piercing knifelike pains
   • piercing cold
   • piercing criticism
   • a stabbing pain
   • lancinating pain
3. very good
   • he did a bully job
   • a neat sports car
   • had a great time at the party
   • you look simply smashing
4. intense or sharp
   • suffered exquisite pain
   • felt exquisite pleasure
5. having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
   • an acute observer of politics and politicians
   • incisive comments
   • icy knifelike reasoning
   • as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang
   • penetrating insight
   • frequent penetrative observations

Noun

1. a funeral lament sung with loud wailing

Verb

1. express grief verbally
   • we lamented the death of the child