keep

verb
UK: /kiːp/
US: /kiːp/

  1. To have or continue to have in your possession

    1. I will keep this book for you to read later if you'd like me to [ ] [ ]
    2. You can keep the change from the purchase since you were so helpful today [ ] [ ]

  2. To store or maintain something in a specified condition or place.

    1. Please keep the milk in the refrigerator so it doesn't spoil quickly. [ ] [ ]
    2. I always keep my important documents locked in a safe place within the house [ ] [ ]

  3. To continue doing something without stopping.

    1. Please keep practicing your instrument and you will get better every day. [ ] [ ]
    2. Despite the challenges, we must keep striving for a better future for everyone [ ] [ ]

  4. To observe or fulfill a promise, agreement, or law.

    1. Always keep your promises because it shows respect for other person. [ ] [ ]
    2. It's important to keep the rules to ensure fairness within the community [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

guard store maintain retain preserve hold protect
keep noun

  1. The food, clothes, and other things someone needs to live.

    1. He earns enough for his keep for normal living. [ ] [ ]
    2. Providing for the keep of family is a fundamental responsibility [ ] [ ]

  2. The strongest or central tower of a castle.

    1. The king retreated to the keep in desperate times. [ ] [ ]
    2. Invaders tried unsuccessfully to breach the castle's imposing keep [ ] [ ]
keep intransitive-verb

  1. To stay in a specified condition or position.

    1. Please keep quiet during the performance it's an important role for actors [ ] [ ]
    2. Try to keep calm in stressful situations so you can think clearly and act logically [ ] [ ]
keep transitive-verb

  1. To maintain or cause to continue in a specified state, position, or activity

    1. Keep the door closed because the wind will make it very cold [ ] [ ]
    2. To stay healthy, I try to keep my body active with exercise every day [ ] [ ]
keep idiom

  1. Have or maintain in one's possession

    1. I keep my valuables locked away for safety reasons. [ ] [ ]
    2. Keep a close watch on your belongings when in crowded areas [ ] [ ]
keep idiom

  1. To remain fresh.

    1. How long will these flowers keep? [ ] [ ]
    2. These apples keep for a long time. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "keep" in English means: To have or continue to have in your possession, To store or maintain something in a specified condition or place., To continue doing something without stopping., To observe or fulfill a promise, agreement, or law..

The phonetic transcription of "keep" is /kiːp/ in British English and /kiːp/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "keep": guard, store, maintain, retain, preserve, hold, protect.

Example usage of "keep": "I will keep this book for you to read later if you'd like me to". More examples on the page.