noun
Meaning 1
sharpness or cutting ability
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Standard Lemma guide
keenness
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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noun
Meaning 2
astuteness or sagacity
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 3
eagerness or enthusiasm
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 4
thinness of edge or fineness of point
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: sharpness
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: shape, form, configuration, contour, conformation
Narrower terms: acuteness
noun
Meaning 5
a quick and penetrating intelligence
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- he argued with great acuteness
- I admired the keenness of his mind
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: acuteness, acuity, sharpness
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: intelligence
Narrower terms: steel trap
noun
Meaning 6
a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: eagerness, avidity, avidness
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: enthusiasm
Narrower terms: ardor, ardour, elan, zeal
History
Etymology
From keen + -ness.