How to Pronounce Keen

To pronounce "keen", say KEEN — one syllable, IPA /kiːn/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

keen

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

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1

Syllable

4

Letters

/kiːn/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “keen”

"keen" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with obscene and mean, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: keene, kean, keane, keehn — easy to mix up when writing.

What does keen mean?

verb

  1. To make cold, to sharpen.

adjective

  1. Often with a prepositional phrase, or with to and an infinitive: showing a quick and ardent responsiveness or willingness; eager, enthusiastic, interested.

    “I’m keen on computers.”

  2. Fierce, intense, vehement.

    “This boy has a keen appetite.”

Synonyms

bitingcuttingpiercingacutepenetratingshrewdsharpardent

Hear “keen” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with keen

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

obscenemeanbyzantinelibertinecareenleandemeanpreengleancontraveneteenscene

Related words

corkingexquisitebang-upslap-upincisiveniftyintensegreat

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "keen"?▾

"Keen" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "keen"?▾

The IPA transcription of "keen" is /kiːn/.

What does "keen" mean?▾

Keen: To make cold, to sharpen.

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