What does “keep” mean?
- 1
verbto continue to have something and not give it away
You can keep the book; I don’t need it.
- 2
verbto continue doing something or stay in a certain state
Keep walking until you reach the bridge.
- 3
verbto store something in a particular place
We keep the milk in the fridge.
Keep at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb
- CEFR level
- A2 (elementary)
- Pronunciation
- /kip/ · KEEP
- Forms
- kept, keeping
How to use “keep” correctly
Use -ing after “keep” for repeated or continuing actions: “She keeps calling me”, not “keeps to call”.
Common phrases with “keep”
- keep doing sth
- keep in touch
- keep a promise
- keep quiet
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Word family
- keeper
Idioms with “keep”
- Keep someone in the loop: To keep someone informed about what is happening.
- Keep your chin up: Stay positive and brave when things are difficult.
“keep” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- act verbA2to do something, especially to deal with a situation
- allow verbA2to give someone permission to do something
- become verbA2to begin to be something
- carry verbA2to hold something and take it with you from one place to another
- catch verbA2to take hold of something that is moving through the air
- continue verbA2to keep doing something or keep happening without stopping
- cover verbA2to put something over something else to protect or hide it
- create verbA2to make something new exist