Word: Keeper

Pronunciation

/ˈkiːpər/

Definitions

• Noun: A person who looks after or takes care of something, especially an animal or property, such as a zookeeper, goalkeeper, or a person who manages a household’s finances (e.g., “The zookeeper fed the lions.”).
• Noun: A sports position; specifically, a player on a soccer or hockey team whose primary role is to defend the goal (e.g., “The goalkeeper was the team’s best keeper.”).
• Noun: Informal or slang term for a boyfriend or girlfriend (e.g., “She’s my main squeeze, my keeper.”).
• Noun: A device or part that holds something in place or maintains a condition (e.g., “A jar lid is a type of keeper that seals the contents.”).
• Verb: (Rarely used) To keep or maintain something (e.g., “She keeps a tidy house; she really knows how to keeper well.”).

Phrases

• “Keeper of the keys” refers to a person responsible for guarding or controlling access to something valuable or important.
• “Finders, keepers” is a children’s rhyme suggesting that if one finds something, they have the right to keep it.

Example Sentences

• Noun (caretaker): “As the museum’s night keeper, he ensures all exhibits are secure before closing time.”
• Noun (sports position): “The new keeper’s reflexes were lightning-fast, saving several goals during the match.”
• Noun (informal relationship): “After dating for a while, he knew she was a keeper and decided to pop the question.”
• Noun (device): “The specially designed bookend serves as a page keeper, preventing your book from falling open.”
• Verb: Although rare, “To keeper a secret” could mean “to maintain the secrecy of something”.

Synonyms

• Caretaker
• Guardian
• Protector
• Safeguarder
• Custodian
• Goalie (in the context of sports)
• Significant other (for informal relationships)