keeping

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The state of fitting well with something else, so that the two match in style, spirit, or rules; mostly found in the phrases in keeping with and out of keeping with.

   Grammar: Almost always used in a fixed phrase: the new wing is in keeping with the old house.

   Patterns

   • in keeping with something
   • out of keeping with something

   The simple furniture was in keeping with the calm mood of the room.

   Wearing jeans to the ceremony would have been out of keeping with the occasion.

   Her generous reply was entirely in keeping with her character.

2. 2noununcountableformal

   The condition of being looked after or held by someone, who is responsible for protecting the thing in question.

   Grammar: Usually follows in: the painting is in my keeping, meaning I look after it.

   Patterns

   • in someone's keeping
   • in the keeping of someone
   • for safe keeping

   The family letters have been in my aunt's keeping for decades.

   The village archive is in the keeping of the local historical society.

   I left my passport with the hotel manager for safe keeping.

Common combinations

in keeping with

The modern extension is not in keeping with the street's Victorian houses.

out of keeping with

His rude remarks were out of keeping with the polite tone of the meeting.

in safe keeping

The documents are in safe keeping at the bank.

in someone's keeping

The key to the cellar is in the caretaker's keeping.

for safe keeping

She gave her jewelry to her sister for safe keeping while she traveled.

Synonyms and how they differ

harmony

Harmony stresses a pleasing balance between things, whereas keeping simply says that one thing suits another and is rarely used outside the set phrases.

custody

Custody is more official and often legal, as with a child or a prisoner, while keeping is gentler and fits objects and heirlooms.

conformity

Conformity means following a rule or standard, often with a hint of pressure, whereas in keeping with only describes a good fit.

Opposites

Word family

keep verb

to hold on to something or continue to have it

keeper noun

a person who looks after something, such as a zoo animal or a museum collection

safekeeping noun

the act of protecting something valuable in a secure place

bookkeeping noun

the task of recording a business's money coming in and going out

Commonly confused: keeping or keeping up with?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “keeping”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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