keep on
phrasal verb
kept on; keeping on; keeps on
1
informal
: to continue happening, doing something, working, etc.
The rain kept on throughout the day.
He talked and talked. At one point I thought he would keep on all night.
She kept on talking after I told her to be quiet.
2
: to continue to have (someone) as an employee
The chef was kept on even after the restaurant was sold.
Examples of keep on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some feel fine with 3,254 unread emails, while others can keep on top of it.
—
Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2026
The holidays might be behind us, but the end-of-year Anthropologie 50% off sale is the gift that keeps on giving.
—Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 31 Dec. 2025
Christmas has come and gone, but Lululemon just keeps on giving.
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
Despite the fact that most retailers and restaurants spent 2025 struggling, the travel trade just kept on ticking.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for keep on
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.
Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2026
The holidays might be behind us, but the end-of-year Anthropologie 50% off sale is the gift that keeps on giving.
—Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 31 Dec. 2025
Christmas has come and gone, but Lululemon just keeps on giving.
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
Despite the fact that most retailers and restaurants spent 2025 struggling, the travel trade just kept on ticking.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for keep on
Cite this Entry
“Keep on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep%20on. Accessed 5 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share