keep

To continue to have something instead of returning it or giving it away.

• You can keep the pen.
• I kept the jacket she gave me.
• Do you want to keep these photos?

Similar words: retain, hold on to

Opposites: return

Common phrases: keep the change, keep something forever, keep a copy, keep old letters

To stay in a particular state or condition.

• Please keep quiet.
• We kept warm by the fire.
• How do you keep so calm?

How to use it: keep + adjective (Keep still while I take the photo.)

Similar words: stay, remain

Common phrases: keep quiet, keep warm, keep calm

To make sure someone or something stays in a particular condition.

• Keep your hands clean.
• The lid kept the food fresh.
• How do you keep the children busy?

How to use it: keep someone/something + adjective (This coat keeps me warm.); keep something in something (Keep the flowers in water.)

Similar words: maintain, preserve

Common phrases: keep something clean, keep someone happy, keep something dry

To hold something for someone and protect it until they need it.

• Can you keep my bag?
• She kept my passport safe during the trip.
• I will keep your money until you return.

How to use it: keep something for someone (Can you keep my keys for me?)

Similar words: hold, look after

Common phrases: keep something safe, keep something for someone

The food, shelter, or money someone needs to live.

• He works for his keep.
• She earned her keep by cooking for the family.
• The farm pays for the horses’ keep.

Similar words: upkeep, maintenance

Common phrases: earn your keep, pay for someone’s keep

The strong central tower of a castle, used for protection during attacks.

• The keep has thick walls.
• Soldiers defended the keep during the attack.
• We climbed to the top of the old keep.

Similar words: central tower

Common phrases: castle keep, stone keep, inside the keep

The condition something is in, especially how well it has been looked after.

• The house was in good keep.
• They found the estate in poor keep.
• The old grounds remain in fine keep.

How to use it: in good/poor keep (The gardens were in good keep.)

Similar words: condition, state

Common phrases: in good keep, in poor keep