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keen

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The definition of keen is something sharp or intense.

(adjective)

An example of keen is a sharp knife.
An example of keen is a witty sense of humor.

See keen in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

having a sharp edge or point; that can cut well: a keen knife, a keen edge
sharp or cutting in force; piercing: a keen appetite, a keen wind
sharp and quick in seeing, hearing, thinking, etc.; acute: keen eyes, a keen intelligence
sharp-witted; mentally acute; shrewd
eager; enthusiastic; much interested: often with about, on, etc.
strongly felt or perceived; intense; strong: keen desire, a keen scent
☆ Slang good, fine, etc.: a generalized term of approval

Origin: ME kene < OE cene, wise, learned, akin to Ger kühn, bold < IE base *ĝen-, to know: the principal senses spring from the basic notion “capable”

Related Forms:

keenly adverb
keenness noun

noun

Irish a wailing for the dead; dirge

Origin: Ir caoine < caoinim, I wail

intransitive verb

Irish to lament or wail for the dead
to make a wailing, shrill, or mournful sound suggestive of a keen

transitive verb

to utter in a wailing tone

See keen in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective keen·er, keen·est

Having a fine, sharp cutting edge or point.
Having or marked by intellectual quickness and acuity. See Synonyms at sharp.
Acutely sensitive: a keen ear.
Sharp; vivid; strong: “His entire body hungered for keen sensation, something exciting” (Richard Wright).
Intense; piercing: a keen wind.
Pungent; acrid: A keen smell of skunk was left behind.
a. Ardent; enthusiastic: a keen chess player.
b. Eagerly desirous: keen on going to Europe in the spring.
Slang Great; splendid; fine: What a keen day!