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Keenness: meaning, definitions and examples

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keenness

 

[ˈkiːnnəs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

emotional reaction

The quality or state of being keen; eagerness; enthusiasm.

Synonyms

eagerness, enthusiasm, zeal.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
keenness

Keenness describes a strong, sharp desire or interest in something. It is often used to talk about senses or intellect, indicating acute awareness or perception.

  • Her keenness for details made her an excellent detective.
  • The student's keenness to learn was evident in his questions.
eagerness

Eagerness refers to an intense, impatient desire to do or achieve something. It suggests a yearning or strong willingness, often with a sense of urgency.

  • The children showed great eagerness to open their presents on Christmas morning.
  • She accepted the new job offer with eagerness.
enthusiasm

Enthusiasm conveys a lively interest or passion for something. It usually implies a positive and energetic attitude towards an activity or subject.

  • His enthusiasm for teaching was evident in every lecture.
  • The crowd's enthusiasm made the concert unforgettable.
zeal

Zeal signifies fervent and tireless devotion to a cause or objective. It connotes strong, energetic effort and passionate commitment. Sometimes has a negative connotation if perceived as overly intense or fanatical.

  • Her zeal for environmental causes inspired many volunteers.
  • He approached his new project with great zeal.

Examples of usage

  • He felt a keenness to learn more about the subject.
  • Her keenness for adventure led her to travel to remote places.
Context #2 | Noun

perception

Sharpness or acuteness, as of a needle, knife, or sense.

Synonyms

acuteness, keeness, sharpness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
keenness

Used to describe a strong and eager interest or enthusiasm towards something. Commonly used in both formal and informal settings.

  • Her keenness to learn new languages is impressive.
  • He showed great keenness for the project.
sharpness

Refers to the quality of being sharp in a literal or figurative sense. Can describe the edge of an object, clarity of an image, or mental acuity. May have a negative connotation when describing a tone or manner.

  • The sharpness of the knife made it easy to cut the vegetables.
  • He admired the sharpness of her mind.
  • There was a sharpness in his voice that suggested he was upset.
acuteness

Typically used in a formal context to describe a high degree of perceptiveness or sensitivity, especially in regards to intelligence or senses.

  • The acuteness of his vision allowed him to see details others missed.
  • Her acuteness in solving problems made her an invaluable team member.

Examples of usage

  • The keenness of his vision allowed him to spot the tiny details.
  • She admired the keenness of his hearing, which could pick up even the faintest sounds.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Middle English 'kenen', which means to know or to perceive clearly.
  • In Old English, 'cene' meant bold or brave, indicating an early association with being eager and daring.

Psychology

  • Research shows that people with a keen interest in subjects are more likely to retain information and perform better academically.
  • Keenness can enhance motivation, which is linked to higher success rates in personal and professional goals.

Literature

  • In classic novels, characters often show keenness in pursuit of their dreams, highlighting the importance of enthusiasm and desire.
  • Many poets use the concept of keenness to illustrate the intensity of emotions associated with love, ambition, or discovery.

Education

  • Educators often try to foster keenness in students to improve engagement and learning outcomes.
  • Activities that promote keenness, like hands-on projects, often lead to deeper understanding of concepts.

Cultural Significance

  • In various cultures, showing keenness is often associated with positive traits such as ambition and enthusiasm.
  • The expression 'keen as mustard' reflects a cultural appreciation for eagerness, popularized in British English.

Translations

Translations of the word "keenness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 acuidade

🇮🇳 तीव्रता

🇩🇪 Scharfsinn

🇮🇩 ketajaman

🇺🇦 гострота

🇵🇱 ostrość

🇯🇵 鋭さ (するどさ)

🇫🇷 acuité

🇪🇸 agudeza

🇹🇷 keskinlik

🇰🇷 날카로움

🇸🇦 حدة

🇨🇿 ostrost

🇸🇰 ostrosť

🇨🇳 敏锐 (mǐnruì)

🇸🇮 ostrina

🇮🇸 skerpa

🇰🇿 өткірлік

🇬🇪 სიმკვეთრე

🇦🇿 itiqlik

🇲🇽 agudeza

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,137, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.