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
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
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
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
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
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
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Cameron Cook,
Pitchfork,
20 Apr. 2026
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
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
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
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
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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