Phrase guide

keep on

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

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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1

verb

Meaning 1

To persist or continue.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • Keep on trucking!
  • Mum, Jimmy keeps on poking me!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: continue, go on

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To persist in talking about a subject, perhaps to the annoyance of the listener.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

  • For goodness sake, will you stop keeping on about it!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To cause or allow to remain in an existing position.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • The new boss would like to keep the present secretary on.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To cause or allow to remain in an existing position.

To cause or allow to remain in the on or open position.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • Should I turn off this light or keep it on?
  • Should I shut off this water or keep it on?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: leave on

Antonyms: turn off, shut off

5

verb

Meaning 5

allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • We cannot continue several servants any longer
  • She retains a lawyer
  • The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff
  • Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on
  • We kept the work going as long as we could
  • She retained her composure
  • this garment retains its shape even after many washings

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: retain, continue, keep

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: prolong, sustain, keep up

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

20 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Arabic: يبقي — persist or continue
  • Bulgarian: продължавам (prodǎlžavam) — persist or continue
  • Finnish: jatkaa — persist or continue
  • German: weiter machen — persist or continue
  • German: weiter +verb — persist or continue
  • Ancient Greek: λιπαρέω (liparéō) — persist or continue
  • Italian: continuare — persist or continue
  • Italian: persistere — persist or continue
  • Italian: mantenere — persist or continue
  • Old English: ofstandan — persist or continue
  • Polish: kontynuować — persist or continue
  • Russian: продолжа́ть (prodolžátʹ) — persist or continue
  • Scottish Gaelic: lean air — persist or continue
  • Spanish: seguir — persist or continue
  • Finnish: pitää — remain in position
  • German: behalten — remain in position
  • Pennsylvania German: aabhalde — remain in position
  • Polish: trwać — remain in position
  • Spanish: quedar — remain in position
  • Spanish: quedarse — remain in position