Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [keep uhp]
- /kip ʌp/
- /kiːp ʌp/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [keep uhp]
- /kip ʌp/
Definitions of keep up words
- verb with object keep up to hold or retain in one's possession; hold as one's own: If you like it, keep it. Keep the change. 1
- verb with object keep up to hold or have the use of for a period of time: You can keep it for the summer. 1
- verb with object keep up to hold in a given place; store: You can keep your things in here. 1
- verb with object keep up to maintain (some action), especially in accordance with specific requirements, a promise, etc.: to keep watch; to keep step. 1
- verb with object keep up to cause to continue in a given position, state, course, or action: to keep a light burning; to keep a child happy. 1
- verb with object keep up to maintain in condition or order, as by care and labor: He keeps his car in good condition. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of keep up
First appearance:
before 1000 One of the 6% oldest English words
before 1000; Middle English kepen, Old English cēpan to observe, heed, watch, await, take; perhaps akin to Old English gecōp proper, fitting, capian to look, Old Norse kōpa to stare
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Keep up
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
keep up popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 100% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
keep up usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for keep up
verb keep up
- balance — If you balance something somewhere, or if it balances there, it remains steady and does not fall.
- compete — If you compete in a contest or a game, you take part in it.
- contend — If you have to contend with a problem or difficulty, you have to deal with it or overcome it.
- continue — If someone or something continues to do something, they keep doing it and do not stop.
- go on — to move or proceed, especially to or from something: They're going by bus.