different between tight vs keen
tight
English
Etymology
From Middle English tight, tyght, ty?t, tiht, variants of thight, thiht, from Old English *þ?ht, *þiht (attested in meteþiht) and Old Norse þéttr, both from Proto-Germanic *þinhtaz, from Proto-Indo-European *tenkt- (“dense, thick, tight”), from Proto-Indo-European *ten- (“to stretch, pull”). Cognate with Scots ticht, West Frisian ticht, Danish tæt, Icelandic þéttur (“dense”), Norwegian tett, Swedish tät, Dutch dicht (“dense”), German dicht (“dense”).
Pronunciation
- enPR: t?t, IPA(key): /ta?t/
- Rhymes: -a?t
Adjective
tight (comparative tighter, superlative tightest)
- Firmly held together; compact; not loose or open.
- Unyielding or firm.
- Under high tension; taut.
- (colloquial) Scarce, hard to come by.
- (colloquial, figuratively) Intimately friendly.
- (slang, figuratively, usually derogatory) Miserly or frugal.
- Unyielding or firm.
- (of a space, design or arrangement) Narrow, such that it is difficult for something or someone to pass through it.
- Fitting close, or too close, to the body.
- Of a turn, sharp, so that the timeframe for making it is narrow and following it is difficult.
- Lacking holes; difficult to penetrate; waterproof.
- 1965, MotorBoating, page 145
- He reported the hull was tight and secure and did not leak a drop.
- 2014, Ian Black, "Courts kept busy as Jordan works to crush support for Isis", The Guardian, 27 November:
- Security is tight inside and outside the building, guarded by a bewildering collection of soldiers, policemen and gendarmes. Relatives watch as prisoners in handcuffs and leg irons shuffle past.
- 1965, MotorBoating, page 145
- Well-rehearsed and accurate in execution.
- (sports) Not conceding many goals.
- 2014, Paul Doyle, "Southampton hammer eight past hapless Sunderland in barmy encounter", The Guardian, 18 October 2014:
- The odd thing was that Sunderland made the better start and showed early signs that they might pose serious problems to the Premier League’s tightest defence.
- 2014, Paul Doyle, "Southampton hammer eight past hapless Sunderland in barmy encounter", The Guardian, 18 October 2014:
- (sports) Not conceding many goals.
- (slang) Intoxicated; drunk or acting like being drunk.
- 1940, Effie Butler, Misbehaving Husbands:
- I'm going to celebrate my divorce! And then I'm going to get tight.
- 2001, Gaelic Storm, Johnny Tarr (on the album Tree):
- Johnny walked into the Castle Bar, looking to get tight.
- 1940, Effie Butler, Misbehaving Husbands:
- (slang) Extraordinarily great or special.
- (slang, British (regional)) Mean; unfair; unkind.
- 1977, Willy Russell, Our Day Out, Act One, Scene One:
- Reilly: Ey, Miss, hang on, hang on... can we come with y', Miss? Can we?
- Digga: Go on, Miss, don't be tight, let's come.
- 2001, Kevin Sampson, Outlaws, p.244:
- "Ah leave him, ay!" goes one of the girls. "Don't be tight." I turns to her. "Don't you think it's tight terrorising old ladies? Ay?"
- 2011, Andrew Hicks, "Thai Girl: A story of the one who said 'no'", unnumbered page:
- "That's right ... so even when life's a grind, the Thais keep smiling. They think the farang are a miserable lot who have to get drunk to enjoy themselves."
- "Dutch, that's tight mate, I mean what's wrong with getting pissed. When you're not working, you gotta have a good time," said Darren.
- 1977, Willy Russell, Our Day Out, Act One, Scene One:
- (obsolete) Not ragged; whole; neat; tidy.
- clad very plain, but clean and tight
- 1714, John Gay, The What D'ye Call It
- I'll spin and card, and keep our children tight.
- 1887, W. S. Gilbert, Ruddigore
- Richard: But here she comes! [...] (Enter Rose — he is much struck by her.) By the Port Admiral, but she's a tight little craft!
- “A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron; and she looked it, always trim and trig and smooth of surface like a converted yacht cleared for action. ¶ Near her wandered her husband […] from time to time squinting sideways, as usual, in the ever-renewed expectation that he might catch a glimpse of his stiff, retroussé moustache.
- (obsolete) Handy; adroit; brisk.
- (poker) Of a player, who plays very few hands. (Can we add an example for this sense?)
- (poker) Using a strategy which involves playing very few hands. (Can we add an example for this sense?)
Synonyms
- (firmly held together): close, serried (of ranks); see also Thesaurus:tight
- (pushed/pulled together): crowded, dense; see also Thesaurus:compact
- (under high tension): taut, tense, under tension; see also Thesaurus:taut
- (miserly or frugal): niggardly, parsimonious; see also Thesaurus:stingy
- (narrow): narrow; see also Thesaurus:narrow
- (fitting close to the body): figure-hugging, snug, tight-fitting; see also Thesaurus:close-fitting
- (well-rehearsed and accurate): polished, precise; see also Thesaurus:meticulous
- (intimately friendly): close, close-knit, intimate
- (slang: intoxicated): blotto, plastered; see also Thesaurus:drunk
- (slang: extraordinarily great or special): ace, cool, fab, rad, slick; see also Thesaurus:excellent
- (slang: mean; unfair; unkind): see also Thesaurus:mean
- (not ragged): ruly, shipshape, trim; see also Thesaurus:orderly
- (handy; adroit; brisk): crafty, dexterous, skilful; see also Thesaurus:skilled
Antonyms
- (firmly held together): baggy (of clothing or other material), loose, sagging, saggy, slack; see also Thesaurus:loose
- (pushed/pulled together):
- (under high tension): loose, relaxed, slack; see also Thesaurus:careless
- (miserly or frugal): generous, prodigal, scattergood; see also Thesaurus:generous or Thesaurus:prodigal
- (narrow): broad, capacious, open, roomy, spacious, wide; see also Thesaurus:wide
- (well-rehearsed and accurate): slack, slapdash, sloppy
- (slang: intoxicated): clearheaded, on the wagon; see also Thesaurus:sober
- (slang: extraordinarily great or special): crap, naff, pathetic, rubbish; see also Thesaurus:bad
- (slang: mean; unfair; unkind): nice, pleasant; see also Thesaurus:kindly
- (not ragged): unruly, messy; see also Thesaurus:disorderly
- (handy; adroit; brisk): bungling, maladroit, unskilful; see also Thesaurus:unskilled
Derived terms
Translations
Adverb
tight (comparative tighter, superlative tightest)
- Firmly, so as not to come loose easily.
- Make sure the lid is closed tight.
- Soundly.
- Good night, sleep tight.
Synonyms
- (firmly): fast, firmly, securely
- (soundly): soundly, well
Antonyms
- (firmly): loosely
- (soundly): badly, fitfully
Derived terms
Translations
Verb
tight (third-person singular simple present tights, present participle tighting, simple past and past participle tighted)
- (obsolete) To tighten.
Danish
Etymology
From English tight. Doublet of tæt.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /tajt/, [?t??jd?]
Adjective
tight (plural and definite singular attributive tighte)
- tight (of cloths, finances, schedules)
- Synonym: stram
- (music) tight (keeping time and with musical understanding)
References
- “tight” in Den Danske Ordbog
Italian
Etymology
Borrowed from English tight.
Noun
tight m (invariable)
- morning suit, morning dress
tight From the web:
- what tightens skin
- what tightens the virgina
- what tightens skin naturally
- what tightens skin on face
- what tightens a shotguns shot pattern
- what tightens pores
- what tightens neck skin
- what tightens loose skin
keen
English
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ki?n/
- (General American) enPR: k?n, IPA(key): /kin/
- Rhymes: -i?n
- Homophones: Keane, Keene
Etymology 1
From Middle English kene (“bold, brave, sharp”), from Old English c?ne (“keen, fierce, bold, brave, warlike, powerful; learned, clever, wise”), from Proto-Germanic *k?niz (“knowledgeable, skilful, experienced, clever, capable”), from Proto-Indo-European *?neh?- (“to know”). Cognate with Danish køn (“handsome, pretty”), Dutch kien (“smart, wise, able”), koen (“daring, valiant, doughty, courageous”), German kühn (“bold, daring, audacious, hardy, valiant, venturesome”), Icelandic kænn (“wise, crafty, clever, able”), Scots keen (“lively, brisk; avaricious”). Related to Old English cunnan (“to know how to, be able to”). More at cunning, can.
Alternative forms
- keene, kene (both obsolete)
Adjective
keen (comparative keener or more keen, superlative keenest or most keen)
- (chiefly Commonwealth of Nations) Often with a prepositional phrase, or with to and an infinitive: showing a quick and ardent responsiveness or willingness; eager, enthusiastic, interested.
- 2000, Jane Green, Bookends, London: Penguin Books, ?ISBN; republished as Bookends: A Novel, trade paperback edition, New York, N.Y.: Broadway Books, 2003, ?ISBN, page 304:
- In fact, she doesn't mention the fact that I've obviously been avoiding her, just sounds genuinely thrilled to hear from me, and as soon as I mention getting together she suggests Monday, which is rather keen, even for Portia.
- 2000, Jane Green, Bookends, London: Penguin Books, ?ISBN; republished as Bookends: A Novel, trade paperback edition, New York, N.Y.: Broadway Books, 2003, ?ISBN, page 304:
- Fierce, intense, vehement.
- Having a fine edge or point; sharp.
- Acute of mind, having or expressing mental acuteness; penetrating, sharp.
- Acrimonious, bitter, piercing.
- Of cold, wind, etc.: cutting, penetrating, piercing, sharp.
- 1764 December 19 (indicated as 1765), Oliver Goldsmith, The Traveller, or a Prospect of Society. A Poem. Inscribed to the Rev. Henry Goldsmith, London: Printed for J[ohn] Newbery, ?OCLC; 3rd edition, London: Printed for J. Newbury,[sic, meaning Newbery] in St. Paul's Church-yard, 1765, ?OCLC, page 10:
- Chearful at morn he wakes from ?hort repo?e, / Brea?ts the keen air, and carolls as he goes; […]
- 1764 December 19 (indicated as 1765), Oliver Goldsmith, The Traveller, or a Prospect of Society. A Poem. Inscribed to the Rev. Henry Goldsmith, London: Printed for J[ohn] Newbery, ?OCLC; 3rd edition, London: Printed for J. Newbury,[sic, meaning Newbery] in St. Paul's Church-yard, 1765, ?OCLC, page 10:
- (Britain) Of prices, extremely low as to be competitive.
- (US, informal, dated) Marvelous.
- (obsolete) Brave, courageous; audacious, bold.
Usage notes
Keen is often used to create compounds, the meaning of most of them being fairly obvious, for example, keen-edged, keen-eyed, keen-sighted, keen-witted, etc.
Synonyms
- (showing a quick and ardent responsiveness or willingness): ardent, eager, prompt
- (having a fine edge or point): sharp
- (acrimonious): biting, cutting, piercing
- (acute of mind): acute, penetrating, shrewd; see also Thesaurus:intelligent
Derived terms
Translations
Verb
keen (third-person singular simple present keens, present participle keening, simple past and past participle keened)
- (transitive, rare) To make cold, to sharpen.
- 1730, James Thomson, “Summer”, in The Seasons, A Hymn, A Poem to the Memory of Sir Isaac Newton, and Britannia, a Poem, London, Printed for J. Millan, near Whitehall; and A[ndrew] Millar, in the Strand, ?OCLC; republished in The Works of James Thomson. With His Last Corrections and Improvements. In Four Volumes, volume I, London: Printed for A. Millar, in the Strand, 1766, ?OCLC, page 93, lines 1256–1259:
- This is the pure?t exerci?e of health, / The kind refre?her of the ?ummer-heats; / Nor, when cold Winter keens the brightening flood, / Would I weak-?hivering linger on the brink.
- 1730, James Thomson, “Summer”, in The Seasons, A Hymn, A Poem to the Memory of Sir Isaac Newton, and Britannia, a Poem, London, Printed for J. Millan, near Whitehall; and A[ndrew] Millar, in the Strand, ?OCLC; republished in The Works of James Thomson. With His Last Corrections and Improvements. In Four Volumes, volume I, London: Printed for A. Millar, in the Strand, 1766, ?OCLC, page 93, lines 1256–1259:
Etymology 2
From Irish caoin (“to cry, weep; to keen”).
Noun
keen (plural keens)
- A prolonged wail for a deceased person.
Verb
keen (third-person singular simple present keens, present participle keening, simple past and past participle keened)
- (intransitive) To utter a keen.
- 20th century, Stuart Howard-Jones (1904–1974), “Hibernia”, in Kingsley Amis, comp., The New Oxford Book of English Light Verse, New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, 1978, ?ISBN, page 243:
- Last night he had put down too much Potheen / (A vulgar blend of Methyl and Benzene) / That, at some Wake, he might the better keen. / (Keen—meaning 'brisk'? Nay, here the Language warps: / 'Tis singing bawdy Ballads to a Corpse.)
- 20th century, Stuart Howard-Jones (1904–1974), “Hibernia”, in Kingsley Amis, comp., The New Oxford Book of English Light Verse, New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, 1978, ?ISBN, page 243:
- (transitive) To utter with a loud wailing voice or wordless cry.
- (transitive) To mourn.
Related terms
- keener
References
Anagrams
- Enke, kene, knee, kène, neek
Basque
Noun
keen
- genitive plural of ke
Hunsrik
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /k?e?n/
Particle
keen
- no, not any, not a
Declension
1Form used when the plural of the noun is the same as the singular
Further reading
- Online Hunsrik Dictionary
Luxembourgish
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ke?n/
- Rhymes: -e?n
Particle
keen m or n
- no, not any, not a
Declension
Somali
Verb
keen
- bring
Yola
Etymology
From Middle English kene, from Old English c?ne.
Adjective
keen
- sharp
References
- Jacob Poole (1867) , William Barnes, editor, A glossary, with some pieces of verse, of the old dialect of the English colony in the baronies of Forth and Bargy, County of Wexford, Ireland, J. Russell Smith, ?ISBN
keen From the web:
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