Keep

/kiːp/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive) To continue in (a course or mode of action); to not intermit or fall from; to uphold or maintain..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To continue in (a course or mode of action); to not intermit or fall from; to uphold or maintain.
2. (transitive) To remain faithful to a given promise or word.
3. (transitive) To hold the status of something.
4. (intransitive) To hold or be held in a state.
5. (obsolete) To wait for, keep watch for.
6. (intransitive, cricket) To act as wicket-keeper.
7. (intransitive, obsolete) To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
8. (intransitive, obsolete) To be in session; to take place.

Example Sentences

to keep silence;  to keep possession

to keep one's word;  to keep one's promise

Both day and night did we keep company.

Within the Portal as I kept my Watch, / Swift gliding Shadows by the glimm'ring Moon, I could perceive in Forms of armed Men, / Poſſeſſ the Space that borders on the Porch— […]

And thenne whan the damoysel knewe certaynly that he was not syre launcelot / thenne she took her leue and departed from hym / And thenne syre Trystram rode pryuely vnto the posterne where kepte hym la beale Isoud / and there she made hym good chere and thanked god of his good spede

Godfrey Evans kept for England for many years.

[…] kepe that the lustes choke not the word of God that is sowen in vs,

School keeps today.

Synonyms for keep

Antonyms for keep

Related Words

Word Forms

• keeps
• keeping
• kept
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• keep
• keepest
• keptst
• keptest
• keepeth
• -
• keepe

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions