keen

Both ardent, honed

Keen is most common as an adjective, and commoner in British English than in American English to characterize a feeling of eagerness, excitement, and enthusiasm: I have a keen interest in scrapbooking.

A keen gardener is an enthusiastic and probably very skilled one.

A keen desire is a strong desire.

A keen edge on a knife is very sharp.

Keen is also a dated one-word reaction similar in meaning to groovy or cool.

The verb keen, a different word, conveys wailing in lamentation: She keened in response to the news that her daughter had died.

acute

piercing

Penetrating or very sharp

penetratingPassing into or through
intenseExtreme in degree
sharpFine-edged, or astute

biting · severe · incisive · discerning · perceptive · astute · shrewd · canny · observant · insightful

sharp

blade

Flat cutting edge

edgeBoundary or sharpness
knifeSharp cutting utensil
razorBlade for removing hair

whetstone · scalpel · hone · sharpen · cutting · incisive · piercing · pointed · lancet · stiletto

wail

lament

Mournful expression of grief

mournGrieve for the dead
cryVocal expression of emotion
wailProlonged mournful cry

dirge · ululate · grieve · sob · weep · howl · lamentation · funeral · death · wake

eager

enthusiastic

Showing intense eager enjoyment

avidIntensely enthusiastic
ardentIntensely enthusiastic or devoted
zealousPassionately eager and active

fervent · passionate · excited · hungry · thirsty · yearning · desirous · impatient · intent · aspiring

competitive

prices

Amounts charged for goods

ratesFixed prices charged
contestOrganized competitive event
rivalryOngoing contest between opponents

match · competition · cutthroat · fierce · aggressive · ambitious

keen

piercing

blade

lament

enthusiastic

prices

keen

Opposites

Phrases

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