English · Word Candidate

keen

/kiːn/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: keener · keenest · keens · keening

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Often with a prepositional phrase, or with to and an infinitive: showing a quick and ardent responsiveness or willingness; eager, enthusiastic, interested.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

thường với cụm từ đề xuất, hoặc với để và động từ vô định: thể hiện sự phản ứng nhanh chóng và nhiệt tình; hào hứng, nhiệt tình, quan tâm

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Adjective

Examples

I’m keen on computers.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Fierce, intense, vehement.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

hung dữ, mãnh liệt, kịch liệt

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Adjective

Examples

This boy has a keen appetite.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

A prolonged wail for a deceased person.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

tiếng than vãn dài cho người đã qua đời

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

[S]he went so swiftly that he could only follow her to the door. The large shape of the car swallowed her up; and the car twisted softly around the little drive and away to the London road. Minutes later he heard its Klaxon, just one sharp keen, like the harsh cry of a sea-bird.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To utter a keen.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

phát ra tiếng than vãn

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

Last night he had put down too much Potheen / (A vulgar blend of Methyl and Benzene) / That, at some Wake, he might the better keen. / (Keen—meaning 'brisk'? Nay, here the Language warps: / 'Tis singing bawdy Ballads to a Corpse.)

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “keen” mean?

Often with a prepositional phrase, or with to and an infinitive: showing a quick and ardent responsiveness or willingness; eager, enthusiastic, interested.

Is “keen” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.