keen (keener comparative) (keenest superlative )
1 adj If you are keenon doing something, you very much want to do it. If you are keenthat something should happen, you very much want it to happen.
(mainly BRIT) v-link ADJ, ADJ on -ing/n, ADJ that, ADJ to-inf
You're not keen on going, are you?..., I'm very keen that the European Union should be as open as possible to trade from Russia..., She's still keen to keep in touch..., I am not keen for her to have a bicycle.
keenness n-uncount oft N to-inf
(=enthusiasm)
...Doyle's keenness to please., ...a keenness for the idea of a co-ordinated approach to development.
2 adj If you are keen on something, you like it a lot and are very enthusiastic about it.
(mainly BRIT) v-link ADJ on n
I got quite keen on the idea...
keenness n-uncount
...his keenness for the arts.
3 adj You use keen to indicate that someone has a lot of enthusiasm for a particular activity and spends a lot of time doing it.
ADJ n, v-link ADJ on n/-ing
She was a keen amateur photographer.
4 adj If you describe someone as keen, you mean that they have an enthusiastic nature and are interested in everything that they do.
(=enthusiastic)
He's a very keen student and works very hard...
keenness n-uncount
...the keenness of the students.
5 adj A keen interest or emotion is one that is very intense.
usu ADJ n
He had retained a keen interest in the progress of the work.
keenly adv ADV adj, ADV with v
She remained keenly interested in international affairs..., This is a keenly awaited project.
6 adj If you are a keen supporter of a cause, movement, or idea, you support it enthusiastically.
ADJ n
He's been a keen supporter of the Labour Party all his life...
7 adj If you say that someone has a keen mind, you mean that they are very clever and aware of what is happening around them.
ADJ n
They described him as a man of keen intellect...
keenly adv ADV adj, ADV with v
They're keenly aware that whatever they decide will set a precedent.
8 adj If you have a keen eye or ear, you are able to notice things that are difficult to detect.
usu ADJ n
(=sharp)
...an amateur artist with a keen eye for detail...
keenly adv ADV with v
Charles listened keenly.
9 adj A keen fight or competition is one in which the competitors are all trying very hard to win, and it is not easy to predict who will win.
There is expected to be a keen fight in the local elections.
keenly adv
The contest should be very keenly fought.
10 adj Keen prices are low and competitive.
(mainly BRIT)
The company negotiates very keen prices with their suppliers.
keenly adv ADV -ed
The shops also offer a keenly priced curtain-making service.
11 If you say that someone is mad keenon something, you are emphasizing that they are very enthusiastic about it.
(BRIT)
INFORMAL
mad keen phrase v-link PHR, PHR n (emphasis)
So you're not mad keen on science then?...
