keep

keep is on the Basic English 850 List.

jump - keep - kettle

keep is one of the 1000 most common headwords.

k - keep - key

Pronunciation

• enPR: kēp, IPA ^(key): /kiːp/
• SAMPA: /ki:p/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form keep

Third-person singular keeps

Past tense kept

Past participle kept

Present participle keeping

1. When you keep something for someone, you make something safe.
   • Synonyms: guard, protect, safeguard and reserve
   • Antonyms: leave unguarded and betray

   I will keep your money for you.

2. When you keep something, you do not give it back.
   • Antonyms: give, give back and return

   Keep the change.

3. (intransitive) When you keep safe, happy, quiet, etc, you stay that way.

   Keep quiet.

Related words

• keeper
• keepsake

Noun

Singular keep

Plural keeps

1. A keep is a special safe area of a castle.
   • Synonyms: castle, fortress and stronghold

   The king lived in the keep during the battle.