Keeper Meaning
/ˈkiːpə/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounOne who keeps (retains) something.
nounOne who remains or keeps in a place or position.
Sentence Examples
A furious elephant kicks out the fencing of his enclosure and sends the keeper flying.
He's a goal keeper.
Tom is a lighthouse keeper and leads a lonely life.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The animal ____ ensures the lions are fed and their enclosures are cleaned.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The lighthouse ____ spent many long and lonely nights ensuring that the light remained lit for the ships.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English kepere. By surface analysis, keep + -er.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"discreet; chaste; keepers at home"
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Titus 2:5:
"I was not altogether surprised: they seemed to be, even more than people in the surrounding wolds, stolid keepers-to-themselves, impossible to stir, dourly determined to stick to the firm routine of their lives[…]"
— 1971, H. R. F. Keating, The Strong Man:
"Roxbury Russet: Market and keeper."
— c. 1847, Andrew Jackson Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America:
"And mark you, good keepers are some years bad keepers, as this year; and a hard, heavy, unbruisable Apple that really will keep to late on in the season is doubly valuable."
— 1878, Journal of Horticulture and Practical Gardening, volume 35, page 331:
""Okay, that's a keeper," Harold said as he netted the 3-pounder and put him on a stringer over the side of the boat."
— 1970, Field & Stream, volume 75, number 7, page 76:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The animal ____ ensures the lions are fed and their enclosures are cleaned.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The lighthouse ____ spent many long and lonely nights ensuring that the light remained lit for the ships.