noun

keeper

KEE-puh

noun

Someone or something worth holding on to.

"That recipe is a keeper."

A person responsible for guarding, maintaining, or looking after something, such as a gamekeeper or zookeeper.

"The keeper fed the lions at dusk."

Short for goalkeeper, the player who defends the goal in football, hockey, and similar sports.

"The keeper made a brilliant diving save."

A fruit or vegetable that stays fresh for a long time without spoiling.

"These apples are good keepers and will last all winter."

How to Use Keeper

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone or something that keeps — a person who looks after something, a goalkeeper, or (informally) anything worth holding on to.

When to use it

"A keeper" meaning "worth keeping" (of a person, idea, or thing) is a casual, modern usage.

Common pairings

zookeeper gamekeeper the keeper made a save that's a keeper

keepers plural, Keepers plural

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That recipe is a _____.

leper peeper beeper sweeper sleeper creeper steeper beekeeper innkeeper zookeeper goalkeeper shopkeeper