English▸ adjective
1 (of a sense) highly developed:
I have keen eyesight.
▪ having or showing great perception or insight:
her keen intellect
a keen understanding of animal psychology.
2 (of the edge or point of a blade) sharp.
▪ (of the air or wind) extremely cold; biting.
▪ literary (of a smell, light, or sound) penetrating; clear.
3 having or showing eagerness or enthusiasm:
keen believers in the monetary system
a keen desire to learn.
▪ [predicative] (keen on) interested in or attracted by (someone or something):
Bob makes it obvious he's keen on her.
– ORIGIN Old English cēne ‘wise, clever’, also ‘brave, daring’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch koen and German kühn ‘bold, brave’. Current senses date from Middle English .