(~er, ~est)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If you are ~ on doing something, you very much want to do it. If you are ~ that something should happen, you very much want it to happen. (mainly BRIT)
You’re not ~ on going, are you?...
I’m very ~ that the European Union should be as open as possible to trade from Russia...
She’s still ~ to keep in touch...
I am not ~ for her to have a bicycle.
ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ on -ing/n, ADJ that, ADJ to-inf
~ness
...Doyle’s ~ness to please.
...a ~ness for the idea of a co-ordinated approach to development.
= enthusiasm
N-UNCOUNT: oft N to-inf
2.
If you are ~ on something, you like it a lot and are very enthusiastic about it. (mainly BRIT)
I got quite ~ on the idea...
ADJ: v-link ADJ on n
~ness
...his ~ness for the arts.
N-UNCOUNT
3.
You use ~ to indicate that someone has a lot of enthusiasm for a particular activity and spends a lot of time doing it.
She was a ~ amateur photographer.
ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ on n/-ing
4.
If you describe someone as ~, you mean that they have an enthusiastic nature and are interested in everything that they do.
He’s a very ~ student and works very hard...
= enthusiastic
ADJ
~ness
...the ~ness of the students.
N-UNCOUNT
5.
A ~ interest or emotion is one that is very intense.
He had retained a ~ interest in the progress of the work.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
~ly
She remained ~ly interested in international affairs...
This is a ~ly awaited project.
ADV: ADV adj, ADV with v
6.
If you are a ~ supporter of a cause, movement, or idea, you support it enthusiastically.
He’s been a ~ supporter of the Labour Party all his life...
ADJ: ADJ n
7.
If you say that someone has a ~ mind, you mean that they are very clever and aware of what is happening around them.
They described him as a man of ~ intellect...
ADJ: ADJ n
~ly
They’re ~ly aware that whatever they decide will set a precedent.
ADV: ADV adj, ADV with v
8.
If you have a ~ eye or ear, you are able to notice things that are difficult to detect.
...an amateur artist with a ~ eye for detail...
= sharp
ADJ: usu ADJ n
~ly
Charles listened ~ly.
ADV: ADV with v
9.
A ~ fight or competition is one in which the competitors are all trying very hard to win, and it is not easy to predict who will win.
There is expected to be a ~ fight in the local elections.
ADJ
~ly
The contest should be very ~ly fought.
ADV
10.
Keen prices are low and competitive. (mainly BRIT)
The company negotiates very ~ prices with their suppliers.
ADJ
~ly
The shops also offer a ~ly priced curtain-making service.
ADV: ADV -ed
11.
If you say that someone is mad ~ on something, you are emphasizing that they are very enthusiastic about it. (BRIT INFORMAL)
So you’re not mad ~ on science then?...
PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR n emphasis