Meaning
Often with a prepositional phrase, or with to and an infinitive: showing a quick and ardent responsiveness or willingness; eager, enthusiastic, interested.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
From Middle English kene (“bold, brave, sharp”), from Old English cēne (“keen, fierce, bold, brave, warlike, powerful; learned, clever, wise”), from Proto-Germanic *kōniz (“knowledgeable, skilful, experienced, clever, capable”), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵneh₃- (“to know”). Cognate with Danish køn (“handsome, pretty”), Dutch kien (“smart, wise, able”), koen (“daring, valiant, doughty, courageous”), German kühn (“bold, daring, audacious, hardy, valiant, venturesome”), Icelandic kænn (“wise, crafty, clever, able”), Faroese kønur (“expert (in, on), experienced, skilful, able, capable”), Scots keen (“lively, brisk; avaricious”). Related to Old English cunnan (“to know how to, be able to”). More at cunning, can.
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 19 recorded puzzles:
- 2026-08-26KCDEHNU
- 2026-07-24KEGINOV
- 2026-07-12KAEGINW
- 2026-04-03KALEDFN
- 2026-03-28NABEMKT
- 2025-11-14KANOBLE
- 2025-08-29KCOEDNU
- 2025-08-01NAKECHM
- 2025-06-21ECKHGIN
- 2025-05-11KPANDEC
- 2025-03-08KCNIELT
- 2024-12-04KAMDBEN
+7 earlier appearances in the archive.