keep
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
How often you will meet it
Rank 280 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 77,096 times across 155,168 chapters — 0.037% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 500 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
verb
- cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean” also: maintain, hold hold in placeShe always held herself as a lady
- continue a certain state, condition, or activity also: continue, go on, proceed, go along Keep on working!We continued to work into the night
- retain possession of also: hold on Can I keep my old stuffed animals?She kept her maiden name after she married
- stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state also: prevent We must prevent the cancer from spreadingHis snoring kept me from falling asleep
- conform one's action or practice to also: observe keep appointmentsshe never keeps her promises
- stick to correctly or closely also: observe, maintain The pianist kept time with the metronomekeep count
keep in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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All I ask you is to keep your eyes open.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles · Agatha Christie · Chapter 1
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The weather being excessively hot, with little air, obliged me for the most part, to keep within doors.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures · Daniel Defoe · Chapter 1
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Here take my cloak and keep thee warm within, And wait thee here while I search out an inn.
The White Christmas and other Merry · Walter Ben Hare · Chapter 1
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I can't keep you from doin' it, I reckon, but I do ask you not to sell without lettin' me know.
The Heart of the Hills · John, Jr. Fox · Chapter 1
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Just think about it, then drop into the place where they keep 'em, on your way to supper, and order one!
Gloria and Treeless Street · Annie Hamilton Donnell · Chapter 1