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1. Dictionary

   Keep

   /kēp/

   

   verb

   • 1. have or retain possession of: "return one copy to me, keeping the other for your files"
   • ▪ put or store in a regular place: "his personal work was kept securely in an upstairs studio" Similar storehousestowkeep a place forput awayplaceputdepositstackpile
   • 2. cause to continue in a specified condition, position, course, etc.: "the guidance system keeps the machine on course" Similar remaincontinue to bestaycarry on beinggo on beingpersist in beingnot cease to be
   • ▪ continue in a specified condition, position, course, etc.: "I kept quiet while Emily talked on" Similar remaincontinue to bestaycarry on beinggo on beingpersist in beingnot cease to be
   • ▪ continue doing or do repeatedly or habitually: "he keeps going on about the murder" Similar persist ingo onkeep oncarry oncontinuedo something constantlydo something incessantlydo something continuallynot stop doing somethingpersevereOpposite give upstop
   • ▪ (of a perishable commodity) remain in good condition: "fresh ginger does not keep well"
   • ▪ retain one's place in or on (a seat or saddle, the ground, etc.) against opposition or difficulty: "are you able to keep your saddle?"
   • ▪ make (someone) do something for a period of time: "I have kept her waiting too long"
   • ▪ delay or detain; cause to be late: "I won't keep you, I know you've got a busy evening" Similar detaincause to staycause to waitkeep waitingkeep backhold backrestraindelayhold upretardmake lateset backslow downslow uphinderobstructcheckimpedeblockhamperconstrain
   • ▪ continue to follow (a way, path, or course): archaic "the friars and soldiers removed, keeping their course toward Jericho"
   • 3. provide for the sustenance of (someone): "he had to keep his large family in the manner he had chosen" Similar provide forsupportprovide food forprovide sustenance forprovide board forfeedkeep alivemaintainsustainsubsidizefinancetake care oflook afternurturenourish
   • ▪ own and look after (an animal) for pleasure or profit: "they raised pigs and kept a pony or two" Similar breedrearraisefarmownhave as a petkeep as a petlook aftertend
   • ▪ own and manage (a shop or business). Similar managerunownbe the proprietor ofbe in charge ofadministerorganizedirectkeep upmaintainoperatelook aftersuperintend
   • ▪ guard; protect: "the boy keeps the sheep" Similar tendlook aftercare fortake care ofmindwatch overhave charge ofbe responsible forprotectkeep safekeep from harmpreservedefendguardshieldsheltersafeguardsave
   • ▪ support (someone, especially a woman) financially in return for sexual favors: "a kept woman"
   • 4. honor or fulfill (a commitment or undertaking): "I'll keep my promise, naturally" Similar comply withobeyrespectobserveconform toabide bystick toact in accordance withact according tohave regard toheedfollowpay attention todefer totake notice offulfillcarry outact onmake goodbe bound byhonorkeep toredeemkeep faith withstand byadhere toexecutedischargeperformrare:effectuateOpposite breakdisobey
   • ▪ observe (a religious occasion) in the prescribed manner: "today's consumers do not keep the Sabbath" Similar observerespecthonorhold sacredrecognizeacknowledgecelebratemarksolemnizeritualizeceremonializecommemorateOpposite ignoreneglect
   • ▪ pay due regard to (a law or custom): "if you kept small rules, you could break the big ones" Similar observerespecthonorhold sacredrecognizeacknowledgecelebratemarksolemnizeritualizeceremonializecommemorateOpposite ignoreneglect
   • 5. make written entries in (a diary) on a regular basis: "the master kept a weekly journal"
   • ▪ write down as (a record): "keep a note of the whereabouts of each item"

   noun

   • 1. food, clothes, and other essentials for living: "working overtime to earn his keep"
   • ▪ the cost of basic living essentials.
   • 2. charge; control: archaic "if from shepherd's keep a lamb strayed far"
   • 3. the strongest or central tower of a castle, acting as a final refuge.

   Word Origin late Old Englishcēpan ‘seize, take in’, also ‘care for, attend to’, of unknown origin.

   Derivatives

   • 1. keepable adjective

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • K

     5

   • E

     1

   • E

     1

   • P

     3

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › for keepsFor keeps Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › for keeps

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   The meaning of KEEP is to retain in one's possession or power. How to use keep in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Keep.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishFOR KEEPS | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   FOR KEEPS definition: to have forever: . Learn more.

4. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishFOR KEEPS definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   4 days ago · Definition of 'for keeps' for keeps. phrase [verb-link PHRASE, PHRASE after verb] Something that is for keeps is permanent and will not change. [informal] Ensure that whatever you gain now will be for keeps. He advised them to leave town for keeps. Synonyms: forever, permanent, for all time, for always More Synonyms of for keeps.

5. idioms.thefreedictionary.com › for+keepsFor keeps - Idioms by The Free Dictionary

   idioms.thefreedictionary.com › for+keeps

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   1. For the winner to retain, as in You can't take the marbles back; we were playing for keeps. [Mid-1800s] 2. For an indefinitely long time, forever, as in She is leaving town for keeps. 3. In earnest, seriously, as in We're separating for keeps. [Late 1800s] See also: for, keep.

6. www.phrases.org.uk › meanings › for-keepsFor Keeps - Meaning & Origin Of The Phrase - Phrasefinder

   www.phrases.org.uk › meanings › for-keeps

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   What's the meaning of the phrase 'For keeps'? Play to keep the winnings. Also, more generally, especially in America, ‘in deadly earnest; in such a way that the result will stand’.

7. www.dictionary.com › browse › for--keepsFOR KEEPS Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › for--keeps

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   for keeps. In earnest, seriously, as in We're separating for keeps . [Late 1800s] For the winner to retain, as in You can't take the marbles back; we were playing for keeps . [Mid-1800s] For an indefinitely long time, forever, as in She is leaving town for keeps .

8. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › for keepsFor keeps - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › for keeps

   Jun 11, 2024 · Examples from books and articles. loading examples... Word Family. for keeps. the "for keeps" family. Get started. for the winner to keep all.

9. www.dictionary.com › browse › for-keepsFOR KEEPS Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › for-keeps

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   For the winner to retain, as in You can't take the marbles back; we were playing for keeps. [Mid-1800s]

10. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › for-keepsfor keeps | meaning of for keeps in Longman Dictionary of...

    www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › for-keeps

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    for keeps meaning, definition, what is for keeps: forever: Learn more.

11. crossidiomas.com › for-keepsUnderstanding "for keeps" Idiom: Meaning, Origins & Usage ...

    crossidiomas.com › for-keeps

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    The idiom “for keeps” is a common expression used in English language to indicate that something is permanent or long-lasting. The phrase has its roots in the game of marbles, which was popular among children in the 19th century.