Maintain vs. Keep — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 27, 2023
"Maintain" refers to upholding or sustaining a certain condition or state, while "Keep" implies retaining possession or continuing a specific action.
Difference Between Maintain and Keep
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Maintain" and "Keep" both encompass the idea of continuation, but their applications vary. "Maintain" often implies a conscious effort to sustain or uphold something in its existing state or condition. For instance, one might maintain their focus on a task or maintain a piece of machinery to ensure its proper function.
On the other hand, "Keep" suggests a more passive retention or preservation. This could be in terms of possession, as in keeping a memento, or in terms of actions, like keeping a promise. While "Maintain" requires ongoing attention to preserve the status quo, "Keep" might not always demand such active involvement.
Furthermore, the contexts in which "Maintain" and "Keep" are used can also be indicative of their nuanced differences. While you maintain a consistent exercise routine, you keep to a schedule. "Maintain" hints at ensuring something remains consistent over time, while "Keep" emphasizes adherence or retention.
From a grammatical standpoint, both words can serve as verbs. However, their usage in sentences can differ. For instance, "Maintain" might often be followed by an adjective or noun indicating a state (e.g., maintain equilibrium), whereas "Keep" could be followed by a verb in its infinitive form (e.g., keep to run every morning).
Lastly, the choice between "Maintain" and "Keep" is sometimes a matter of preference or context, but understanding their distinct implications can aid in more precise communication. Both words highlight continuity, but where "Maintain" stresses active sustenance, "Keep" often leans toward passive retention.
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Comparison Chart
Basic Meaning
To uphold or sustain a condition/state.
To retain possession or continue an action.
Active vs Passive
Often requires active effort.
Can be more passive in nature.
Common Contexts
Ensuring consistency or function.
Adherence, possession, or continuation.
Grammatical Use
Followed by adjectives or nouns.
Can be followed by verbs in infinitive form.
Nuance
Stresses on sustaining a status quo.
Emphasizes on adherence or retention.
Compare with Definitions
Maintain
To continue at the same level.
She strives to maintain high grades.
Keep
To retain possession of.
He keeps a diary.
Maintain
To keep in an existing state.
He maintains a clean household.
Keep
To prevent from doing.
Keep him from entering the room.
Maintain
To support oneself.
She maintains herself with a part-time job.
Keep
To store or reserve.
She keeps the chocolates in the fridge.
Maintain
To provide for necessities.
The funds help maintain the park.
Keep
A keep (from the Middle English kype) is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the castle fall to an adversary.
Maintain
Cause or enable (a condition or situation) to continue
The need to maintain close links between industry and schools
Keep
To retain possession of
Kept the change.
Must keep your composure.
Maintain
Provide with necessities for life or existence
The allowance covers the basic costs of maintaining a child
Keep
To have as a supply
Keep spare parts in case of emergency.
Maintain
State something strongly to be the case; assert
He has always maintained his innocence
He had persistently maintained that he would not stand against his old friend
Keep
To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support
"There's little to earn and many to keep" (Charles Kingsley).
Maintain
To keep up or carry on; continue
Maintain good relations.
Keep
To support (a mistress or lover) financially.
Maintain
To keep in an existing state; preserve or retain
Maintain one's composure.
Keep
To put customarily; store
Where do you keep your saw?.
Maintain
To keep in a condition of good repair or efficiency
Maintain two cars.
Keep
To supply with room and board for a charge
Keep boarders.
Maintain
To provide for; support
Maintain a family.
Keep
To raise
Keep chickens.
Maintain
To keep in existence; sustain
Enough food to maintain life.
Keep
To maintain for use or service
An urbanite who didn't keep a car.
Maintain
To defend or hold against criticism or attack
Maintained his stand on taxes.
Keep
To manage, tend, or have charge of
Keep the shop while I'm away.
Maintain
To declare to be true; affirm
Maintained her innocence.
Keep
To preserve (food).
Maintain
To adhere or conform to; keep
Maintain a busy schedule.
Keep
To cause to continue in a state, condition, or course of action
Tried to keep the patient calm.
Maintain
To support (someone), to back up or assist (someone) in an action.
Keep
To maintain records or entries in
Keep a yearly diary.
Maintain
To keep up; to preserve; to uphold (a state, condition etc.).
Keep
To enter (data) in a book
Keep financial records.
Maintain
To declare or affirm (a clause) to be true; to assert.
Keep
To detain
Was kept after school.
Maintain
To hold or keep in any particular state or condition; to support; to sustain; to uphold; to keep up; not to suffer to fail or decline; as, to maintain a certain degree of heat in a furnace; to maintain a fence or a railroad; to maintain the digestive process or powers of the stomach; to maintain the fertility of soil; to maintain present reputation.
Keep
To restrain
Kept the child away from the stove.
Kept the crowd back with barriers.
Maintain
To keep possession of; to hold and defend; not to surrender or relinquish.
God values . . . every one as he maintains his post.
Keep
To prevent or deter
Tried to keep the ice from melting.
Maintain
To continue; not to suffer to cease or fail.
Maintain talk with the duke.
Keep
To refrain from divulging
Keep a secret.
Maintain
To bear the expense of; to support; to keep up; to supply with what is needed.
Glad, by his labor, to maintain his life.
What maintains one vice would bring up two children.
Keep
To save; reserve
Keep extra money for emergencies.
Maintain
To affirm; to support or defend by argument.
It is hard to maintain the truth, but much harder to be maintained by it.
Keep
To adhere or conform to; follow
Keep late hours.
Maintain
Keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,
Keep clean
Hold in place
She always held herself as a lady
The students keep me on my toes
Keep
To be faithful to; fulfill
Keep one's word.
Maintain
Keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction;
We preserve these archeological findings
The old lady could not keep up the building
Children must be taught to conserve our national heritage
The museum curator conserved the ancient manuscripts
Keep
To celebrate; observe
Keep the Sabbath.
Maintain
Supply with necessities and support;
She alone sustained her family
The money will sustain our good cause
There's little to earn and many to keep
Keep
To remain in a state or condition; stay
Keep in line.
Keep quiet.
Kept well.
Maintain
State categorically
Keep
To continue to do
Keep on talking.
Keep guessing.
Maintain
Of power or authority
Keep
To remain fresh or unspoiled
The dessert won't keep.
Maintain
Maintain for use and service;
I keep a car in the countryside
She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips
Keep
To restrain oneself; hold oneself back
I couldn't keep from eavesdropping.
Maintain
Maintain by writing regular records;
Keep a diary
Maintain a record
Keep notes
Keep
Care; charge
The child is in my keep for the day.
Maintain
State or assert;
He maintained his innocence
Keep
The means by which one is supported
Earn one's keep.
Maintain
Support against an opponent;
The appellate court upheld the verdict
Keep
The stronghold of a castle.
Maintain
Observe correctly or closely;
The pianist kept time with the metronome
Keep count
I cannot keep track of all my employees
Keep
A jail.
Maintain
To uphold or defend.
The lawyer maintained his client's innocence.
Keep
To continue in (a course or mode of action); to not intermit or fall from; to uphold or maintain.
To keep silence;
To keep possession
Keep
To remain faithful to a given promise or word.
To keep one's word;
To keep one's promise
Keep
(transitive) To hold the status of something.
Keep
To maintain possession of.
I keep a small stock of painkillers for emergencies.
Keep
To maintain the condition of; to preserve in a certain state.
I keep my specimens under glass to protect them.
The abundance of squirrels kept the dogs running for hours.
Keep
(transitive) To record transactions, accounts, or events in.
I used to keep a diary.
Keep
(transitive) To enter (accounts, records, etc.) in a book.
Keep
(archaic) To remain in; to be confined to.
Keep
To restrain.
I keep my pet gerbil away from my brother.
Don't let me keep you; I know you have things to be doing.
Keep
(with from) To watch over, look after, guard, protect.
May the Lord keep you from harm.
Keep
To supply with necessities and financially support (a person).
He kept a mistress for over ten years.
Keep
(of living things) To raise; to care for.
He has been keeping orchids since retiring.
Keep
To refrain from freely disclosing (a secret).
Keep
To maintain (an establishment or institution); to conduct; to manage.
Keep
To have habitually in stock for sale.
Keep
(intransitive) To hold or be held in a state.
Keep
(obsolete) To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
She kept to her bed while the fever lasted.
Keep
To continue.
I keep taking the tablets, but to no avail.
Keep
To remain edible or otherwise usable.
Potatoes can keep if they are in a root cellar.
Latex paint won't keep indefinitely.
Keep
(copulative) To remain in a state.
The rabbit avoided detection by keeping still.
Keep calm! There's no need to panic.
Keep
(obsolete) To wait for, keep watch for.
Keep
To act as wicket-keeper.
Godfrey Evans kept for England for many years.
Keep
To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
Keep
To be in session; to take place.
School keeps today.
Keep
(transitive) To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; to not swerve from or violate.
Keep
To visit (a place) often; to frequent.
Keep
To observe or celebrate (a holiday).
The feast of St. Stephen is kept on December 26.
Keep
(historical) The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.
Keep
The food or money required to keep someone alive and healthy; one's support, maintenance.
He works as a cobbler's apprentice for his keep.
Keep
(obsolete) The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge; notice.
Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.
To be in good keep
Keep
(obsolete) That which is kept in charge; a charge.
Keep
(engineering) A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.
Keep
To care; to desire.
I kepe not of armes for to yelp [boast].
Keep
To hold; to restrain from departure or removal; not to let go of; to retain in one's power or possession; not to lose; to retain; to detain.
If we lose the field,We can not keep the town.
That I may know what keeps me here with you.
If we would weigh and keep in our minds what we are considering, that would instruct us.
Keep
To cause to remain in a given situation or condition; to maintain unchanged; to hold or preserve in any state or tenor.
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal.
Keep a stiff rein, and move but gently on.
Keep
To have in custody; to have in some place for preservation; to take charge of.
The crown of Stephanus, first king of Hungary, was always kept in the castle of Vicegrade.
Keep
To preserve from danger, harm, or loss; to guard.
Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee.
Keep
To preserve from discovery or publicity; not to communicate, reveal, or betray, as a secret.
Great are thy virtues . . . though kept from man.
Keep
To attend upon; to have the care of; to tend.
And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it.
In her girlish age, she kept sheep on the moor.
Keep
To record transactions, accounts, or events in; as, to keep books, a journal, etc.; also, to enter (as accounts, records, etc. ) in a book.
Keep
To maintain, as an establishment, institution, or the like; to conduct; to manage; as, to keep store.
Like a pedant that keeps a school.
Every one of them kept house by himself.
Keep
To supply with necessaries of life; to entertain; as, to keep boarders.
Keep
To have in one's service; to have and maintain, as an assistant, a servant, a mistress, a horse, etc.
I keep but three men and a boy.
Keep
To have habitually in stock for sale.
Keep
To continue in, as a course or mode of action; not to intermit or fall from; to hold to; to maintain; as, to keep silence; to keep one's word; to keep possession.
Both day and night did we keep company.
Within this portal as I kept my watch.
Keep
To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; not to swerve from or violate; to practice or perform, as duty; not to neglect; to be faithful to.
I have kept the faith.
Him whom to love is to obey, and keepHis great command.
Keep
To confine one's self to; not to quit; to remain in; as, to keep one's house, room, bed, etc.; hence, to haunt; to frequent.
'Tis hallowed ground;Fairies, and fawns, and satyrs do it keep.
Keep
To observe duly, as a festival, etc.; to celebrate; to solemnize; as, to keep a feast.
I went with them to the house of God . . . with a multitude that kept holyday.
Keep
To remain in any position or state; to continue; to abide; to stay; as, to keep at a distance; to keep aloft; to keep near; to keep in the house; to keep before or behind; to keep in favor; to keep out of company, or out reach.
Keep
To last; to endure; to remain unimpaired.
If the malt be not thoroughly dried, the ale it makes will not keep.
Keep
To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
Knock at his study, where, they say, he keeps.
Keep
To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
Keep that the lusts choke not the word of God that is in us.
Keep
To be in session; as, school keeps to-day.
Keep
The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge.
Pan, thou god of shepherds all,Which of our tender lambkins takest keep.
Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case; as, to be in good keep.
Keep
The means or provisions by which one is kept; maintenance; support; as, the keep of a horse.
Grass equal to the keep of seven cows.
I performed some services to the college in return for my keep.
Keep
That which keeps or protects; a stronghold; a fortress; a castle; specifically, the strongest and securest part of a castle, often used as a place of residence by the lord of the castle, especially during a siege; the dungeon. See Illust. of Castle.
The prison strong,Within whose keep the captive knights were laid.
The lower chambers of those gloomy keeps.
I think . . . the keep, or principal part of a castle, was so called because the lord and his domestic circle kept, abode, or lived there.
Keep
That which is kept in charge; a charge.
Often he used of his keepA sacrifice to bring.
Keep
A cap for retaining anything, as a journal box, in place.
Keep
The financial means whereby one lives;
Each child was expected to pay for their keep
He applied to the state for support
He could no longer earn his own livelihood
Keep
The main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress
Keep
A cell in a jail or prison
Keep
Keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,
Keep clean
Hold in place
She always held herself as a lady
The students keep me on my toes
Keep
Continue a certain state, condition, or activity;
Keep on working!
We continued to work into the night
Keep smiling
We went on working until well past midnight
Keep
Retain possession of;
Can I keep my old stuffed animals?
She kept her maiden name after she married
Keep
Prevent from doing something or being in a certain state;
We must prevent the cancer from spreading
His snoring kept me from falling asleep
Keep the child from eating the marbles
Keep
Conform one's action or practice to;
Keep appointments
She never keeps her promises
We kept to the original conditions of the contract
Keep
Observe correctly or closely;
The pianist kept time with the metronome
Keep count
I cannot keep track of all my employees
Keep
Look after; be the keeper of; have charge of;
He keeps the shop when I am gone
Keep
Maintain by writing regular records;
Keep a diary
Maintain a record
Keep notes
Keep
Supply with room and board;
He is keeping three women in the guest cottage
Keep boarders
Keep
Allow to remain in a place or position;
We cannot continue several servants any longer
She retains a lawyer
The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff
Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on
We kept the work going as long as we could
Keep
Supply with necessities and support;
She alone sustained her family
The money will sustain our good cause
There's little to earn and many to keep
Keep
Fail to spoil or rot;
These potatoes keep for a long time
Keep
Celebrate, as of holidays or rites;
Keep the commandments
Celebrate Christmas
Observe Yom Kippur
Keep
Keep under control; keep in check;
Suppress a smile
Keep your temper
Keep your cool
Keep
Maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger;
May God keep you
Keep
Raise;
She keeps a few chickens in the yard
He keeps bees
Keep
Retain rights to;
Keep my job for me while I give birth
Keep my seat, please
Keep open the possibility of a merger
Keep
Store or keep customarily;
Where do you keep your gardening tools?
Keep
Have as a supply;
I always keep batteries in the freezer
Keep food for a week in the pantry
She keeps a sixpack and a week's worth of supplies in the refrigerator
Keep
Maintain for use and service;
I keep a car in the countryside
She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips
Keep
Hold and prevent from leaving;
The student was kept after school
Keep
Prevent (food) from rotting;
Preserved meats
Keep potatoes fresh
Keep
To continue a specific action.
She keeps practicing daily.
Keep
To conform to a standard.
They keep to the company rules.
Common Curiosities
Can "Maintain" and "Keep" be used interchangeably?
Sometimes, but they have nuanced differences in meaning and usage.
Do both words relate to continuation?
Yes, but "Maintain" emphasizes sustenance, and "Keep" focuses on retention.
Is "Maintain" more active than "Keep"?
Yes, "Maintain" often implies a conscious effort, while "Keep" can be more passive.
How about "Keep"?
It can be followed by verbs in the infinitive form.
What might "Maintain" commonly be followed by?
Often an adjective or noun indicating a state.
Can both words be nouns?
"Maintain" is primarily a verb, while "Keep" can also be a noun, as in "castle keep".
In which scenarios might "Maintain" be more appropriate?
When emphasizing the effort to uphold or sustain something, like a condition or routine.
Can I "Maintain" a promise?
It's more common to say "Keep" a promise, but "Maintain" can be used in contexts like maintaining the integrity of a promise.
And "Keep"?
When referring to retaining possession, adhering to something, or continuing an action.
Can I "Keep" a garden?
Yes, but it usually means you own or possess it. "Maintain" a garden would imply taking care of it.
Is "Keep" always passive?
Not always, but it can imply a more passive retention than "Maintain".
Is "Maintain" more formal than "Keep"?
Not necessarily, but context can dictate formality.
Do "Maintain" and "Keep" have synonyms that can help understand them better?
Yes, "Maintain" can be synonymous with "sustain" or "uphold", and "Keep" with "retain" or "preserve".
Does "Keep" always refer to physical possession?
No, it can also refer to actions or adhering to standards.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
