keep
Please keep the door closed.
Forms
keeps v. (3rd-person singular)
She keeps a diary to record her thoughts.
kept v. (past / past participle)
He kept the promise he made last year.
keeping gerund / present participle
Keeping a routine helps me stay productive.
keeper noun
That recipe is a keeper — I always use it for dinner parties.
Phrasal verbs
keep on
To continue doing something.
She kept on practicing the piano until she learned the whole piece.
keep up
To maintain the same level or speed.
I walked faster to try to keep up with my colleagues.
keep up with
To stay informed about or at the same level as someone or something.
It's hard to keep up with all the changes in technology.
keep off
To stay away from a surface or area.
Please keep off the grass while the seeds grow.
keep out
To prevent entry or to stay outside.
The sign on the gate said, 'Keep out.'
keep away
To stay at a distance from someone or something.
Keep away from the construction zone for your safety.
keep to
To follow or stick to a plan, route, or schedule.
We tried to keep to the schedule despite a few delays.
keep at
To continue making an effort at something, especially when it's difficult.
Keep at the exercises and you'll see improvement.
keep from
To prevent someone from doing something or to stop oneself from doing something.
I couldn't keep myself from smiling at the funny story.
keep back
To hold something in reserve or to restrain emotions.
She kept back her tears during the farewell speech.
keep down
To reduce, suppress, or control the level of something (noise, costs, etc.).
They worked hard to keep the costs down during the project.
keep in
To keep inside or to prevent someone from leaving.
After school he was kept in for extra practice.