keep - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
keep Word Meanings
- to have or hold possession of
- to maintain in a specified state
- to continue in a particular condition
keep Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
keep Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/kiːp/
US
/kiːp/
keep Word Etymology
keep = ceap + Old English origin; literally means to hold or possess, which connects to the act of maintaining something over time. Imagine a person holding tightly onto a precious item, symbolizing how one keeps what matters most.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I wrap my hand around a mug and feel the weight settle in my palm. I shift my grip, a tiny adjustment, to keep the hot surface from meeting skin. The effort feels like steering a small ship through a crowded kitchen, balance forged by push and pull. Later I apply this move to everyday life, keep a plan, keep a thread of conversation, and let control feel natural.
Real Context
Keep has several core uses: to have or possess something, to maintain in a state, and to continue in a condition. It often describes actions that endure over time, such as keeping a diary, keeping a promise, or keeping up with friends. It also appears in many phrasal verbs that add nuance, like keep up with, keep on, keep away from, or keep from doing something. Learners should note the difference between keep and hold; keep emphasizes ongoing maintenance or preservation rather than a temporary grasp. Misplacing keep where you mean 'let go' or 'stop' leads to awkward phrasing, so choose more precise verbs when the sense is possession, continuity, or ongoing effort.
Usage Reminders
- 1) Use keep for ongoing possession or maintenance. 2) Pair with up/with to show pace or alignment. 3) Distinguish keep from hold when you mean continuous action vs a physical grasp. 4) Use keep in idioms like keep an eye on, keep in mind, keep going. 5) Avoid overusing keep; use precise verbs for state change or release.
Common Misconceptions
- Keep always means physical possession; it can also mean maintaining a state.
- Keep is not the same as hold; hold is more about gripping or temporarily stopping something.
- Keep up with does not mean 'keep with' or 'stay beside'—it means to stay at the same pace or stay informed.
- Keep a secret means to protect information, not just to own it.
- Keep can be formal or informal; choose other verbs for precise changes of state.
Thinking Differences
English often treats 'keep' as a broad, durable action focusing on preservation, continuity, or possession. Other languages may prefer more specific verbs for ongoing states or release, and learners may overgeneralize 'keep' to contexts that require 'maintain' or 'hold' depending on the object.
Learning Tips
- Learn the core senses: possession, maintenance, and continuation.
- Pair keep with up/to form phrases like keep up with, keep on.
- Remember the difference from hold: ongoing action vs momentary grip.
- Use keep with idioms: keep an eye on, keep in mind, keep going.
- Mix with synonyms for nuance: retain, preserve, maintain.
- Practice phrasal verbs and ask for context to choose the right one.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
Which of the following is the best definition of the word 'keep'?
A.To give something away permanently
B.To retain possession of something; to continue to have or hold
C.To analyze or examine something carefully
D.To move something from one place to another
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses the word 'keep' correctly?
A.She will keep to the store before noon.
B.Please keep your phone on silent during the meeting.
C.You shouldn't keep the cake with the fridge.
D.They plan to keep the concert next week at the small park.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar in meaning to 'keep'?
A.retain
B.release
C.ignore
D.discard
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is most opposite in meaning to 'keep'?
A.retain
B.lose
C.give
D.attract
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context where the concept of 'keep' would be used aloud?
A.Describe a situation where you decided to sell an item you no longer needed.
B.Can you give an example of storing important documents in a safe place so they are not lost?
C.Think of a time when you lent something to a friend and expected it back.
D.Give an example of throwing away food that has spoiled.
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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