keen
/kiːn/
Group 33Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Eager or enthusiastic; sharp or penetrating, in particular GRE
Example in Context
The detective's keen eye for detail allowed her to spot the inconsistency in the alibi that other investigators had missed entirely.
Synonyms
eagersharpenthusiastic
Etymology
From Old English meaning to know, indicating sharpness or eagerness.
- cyn (Old English) — to know
Memory Aid
🥫Sounds like “keen bean”
A KEEN BEAN jumping with excitement at a party, eager to show off its sharp skills!
Visual Association
🔍A cartoon bean wearing glasses, eagerly inspecting everything with a magnifying glass.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “keen” mean on the GRE?
keen (adjective) means “Eager or enthusiastic; sharp or penetrating, in particular”. The detective's keen eye for detail allowed her to spot the inconsistency in the alibi that other investigators had missed entirely.
How to remember “keen” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “keen” sounds like “keen bean”. A KEEN BEAN jumping with excitement at a party, eager to show off its sharp skills!
What are synonyms for “keen”?
Common synonyms: eager, sharp, enthusiastic.