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keenness

keenness

1 3.6
A strong wish to do something
  • noun
  • /ˈkiːn.nəs/
translation icon : entusiasmo
  • And we were blown away by your keenness to participate.

Examples

  • Whatever we think of these suggestions, it seems clear that the pope's keenness for theological inquiries had little to do with any collegiate feeling or wish to be conciliatory.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Speaking this morning, the French government's keenness to participate in the exhibition

    Blog text (9)

  • Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled.

    Blog text (9)

  • At times, his keenness for self-projection created serious difficulties for him and for the country.

    Blog text (24)

  • Her keenness to volunteer at the animal shelter showed her strong desire to help those in need.

  • The teacher praised the students for their keenness to learn new topics every week.

  • His keenness for adventure often led him to explore new hiking trails on weekends.

Synonyms

interest
vskeenness
∞ 1.0

A feeling of wanting to know more about something

is readiness to act or join in rather than just wanting knowledge
desire
vskeenness
∞ 1.6

A strong wish to have or experience something

is readiness to do or try things rather than only wanting outcomes
excitement
vskeenness
434 1.0

A strong feeling of happiness and eagerness, or something that causes it

is a wanting or readiness to act, not only emotional arousal
curiosity
vskeenness
318 2.2

A strong wish to learn or know things

is broader interest or willingness to act beyond mere learning desire
enthusiasm
vskeenness
288 2.2

A strong feeling of excitement and interest in something

is a strong desire to do or try things rather than mere approval
willingness
vskeenness
194 2.8

Readiness to do something without complaining

is active strong desire to do something rather than mere readiness without reluctance
fervor
vskeenness
  • US
34 6.3

A strong, excited belief in a cause or idea

is strong interest or eagerness with less emotional intensity than this
eagerness
vskeenness
23 2.5

A strong, excited wish to do or have something

is wider general enthusiasm rather than immediate readiness to act
ardor
vskeenness
  • US
7 7.5

A strong feeling of love and excitement for someone or something

is strong enthusiasm but less passionately intense or zealous
alacrity
vskeenness
4 8.4

A quick and eager willingness to do something

is general strong desire rather than emphasis on promptness or cheerfulness
avidity
vskeenness
1 8.0

A very strong wish to have or do something

is more general enthusiasm rather than a focused urge to obtain things
avidness
vskeenness
6.6

A very strong and eager interest in something

is broader strong interest not restricted to single pursuits or goals
zestfulness
vskeenness
5.9

A lively, happy energy that makes a person enjoy life

is more about strong interest without stressing lively physical energy
curiousness
vskeenness
3.4

A strong want to know or learn about things

is wider strong desire to do things not limited to knowing or learning

Antonyms

indifference
71 4.6

Lack of interest or concern about something

apathy
43 6.2

A lack of interest or care about things

How Eager

passion
463 2.5
keenness
1 3.6
curiosity
318 2.2
interest
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

keenness singular
keennesses plural

Morphology

keenness = keen (transparent) = keen + ness

The noun is formed by adding '-ness' to 'keen' (eager), yielding 'the quality of being eager'; this is a straightforward derivation.

Etymology

Keenness comes from keen + -ness, where keen came to mean a strong, 'sharp' feeling as well as physical sharpness. That is why keenness can mean great eagerness or strong interest.