keen ear

noun

: a very strong ability to understand and appreciate something heard
She has a keen ear for languages and learns new ones easily.

Examples of keen ear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fear not, wordsmiths and storytellers, for the art of dialogue can be mastered with practice, patience and a keen ear for the rhythm of human speech. — Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2024 Like most good producer-artists, Tiga has a keen ear for choosing features that enhance his recordings without overpowering his own ideas. — Cameron Cook, Pitchfork, 20 Apr. 2026 Collectively, these voices are coaxed by Cockerell, who has a keen ear and fine sense of timing, into becoming some of recent literature’s most compelling narrators. — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025 However, Shostakovich did have a keen ear for orchestral sounds, and under Music Director Rafael Payare’s guidance, the Symphony musicians made the most of their solos and section work. — Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Oct. 2023 Thompson-Hernández’s background as a feature writer for the New York Times has also supplied him with a keen ear for the spoken phrase, expressed in the film’s rich and believable dialogue, as well as a facility with performers of all backgrounds. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for keen ear

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Browse Nearby Words

Keene's cement
keen ear
keener
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Cite this Entry

“Keen ear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keen%20ear. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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