keeping

/'ki:piɳ/

Friendly

Sure! Let’s break down the word "keeping" in a way that’s easy to understand.

Meaning:

The word "keeping" can be used as a noun. It generally refers to the act of holding onto something or being responsible for it.

Key Uses:

1. Retaining Something: This means to hold onto or maintain possession of something. For example, if you are keeping a book, you have it with you and are not giving it away.

2. Responsibility: When someone says that something is "in my keeping," it means they are responsible for it. For example, if a friend leaves their car with you, you are in charge of taking care of it while they are away.

3. Conformity or Harmony: "In keeping with" means something is appropriate or suitable for a situation. For example, if someone wears formal clothes to a wedding, their outfit is in keeping with the occasion.

Examples:

• Retaining: "I am keeping the secret you told me."
• Responsibility: "The dog is in my keeping while they are on vacation."
• Conformity: "Her dress is in keeping with the theme of the party."

Advanced Usage:

In more complex sentences, "keeping" can also relate to agreements or promises. For example, "The company is not in keeping with its commitments to sustainability."

Word Variants:

• Keep (verb): The action of retaining or holding onto something. Example: "Please keep this for me."
• Kept (past tense of keep).
• Keeper (noun): A person who keeps something, especially a guardian or caretaker. Example: "He is the keeper of the museum."

Different Meanings:

• Keeping can also refer to a state of being well-organized or taken care of, like in the phrase "keeping your room tidy."

Synonyms:

• Retention
• Custody
• Care
• Maintenance

Idioms:

• "Keep in mind": This means to remember something. Example: "Keep in mind that the meeting starts at 10 AM."
• "In keeping with": As mentioned earlier, this means in agreement or harmony with something. Example: "Her actions were in keeping with her words."

Phrasal Verbs:

• Keep up: To maintain a certain pace or level. Example: "He is trying to keep up with his studies."
• Keep from: To prevent someone from doing something. Example: "She tried to keep him from worrying."

Conclusion:

The word "keeping" is versatile and can be used in various contexts. Remember, it often involves responsibility, retention, or conformity to a situation.

Academic

Noun

1. the act of retaining something
2. the responsibility of a guardian or keeper
   • he left his car in my keeping
3. conformity or harmony
   • his behavior was not in keeping with the occasion

Synonyms

• retention
• holding
• guardianship
• safekeeping