Keep vs. Save: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 30, 2023
"Keep" implies maintaining possession of something, while "save" suggests reserving or protecting it for future use or from harm. Both imply retention, but "save" often has a purpose or future intention.
Difference Between Keep and Save
The words "keep" and "save" both navigate through the territories of possession and retention but diverge in the nuances of their use and intent. To "keep" something generally means to have or retain possession of it, perhaps without a future intention explicitly in mind. Conversely, "save" leans toward an action of reserving or protecting something, oftentimes for future use, or from a particular circumstance or peril.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
In scenarios of material possession or holding onto items, "keep" typically takes on a somewhat passive role. For instance, one might keep old letters, signifying retention without a specifically outlined future purpose. Contrastingly, "save" manifests a bit more actively and often with foresight. If one were to save old letters, it might imply that they are being stored or protected purposefully, perhaps for future reflection or reference.
Muazma Batool
Sep 30, 2023
These two verbs further delineate their differences when applied to contexts involving rescue or prevention. One doesn’t traditionally "keep" someone from danger but rather "saves" them. "Save" implies an act of rescue or prevention from an undesirable situation or outcome. The word "keep" doesn’t typically navigate into this territory of prevention or rescue and stays firmer in contexts of retention and maintenance.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
Keep vs. Save Comparison Chart
Future Implication
Might not imply future use
Often implies future use/intention
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Sep 30, 2023
Keep vs. Save Definitions
◉Keep
Keep means to retain possession of something.
She decided to keep the stray cat.
Muazma Batool
Sep 30, 2023
◉Save
Save means to rescue from harm or danger.
The lifeguard managed to save the drowning swimmer.
Lucas
Sep 30, 2023
◉Keep
Keep might mean to remain in a specified state or position.
Despite the pressure, she managed to keep calm.
Leo
Sep 30, 2023
◉Save
Save may refer to preventing the waste of something.
Turning off the lights will save electricity.
Nolan
Sep 30, 2023
◉Save
To rescue from harm, danger, or loss
The lifeguard saved the struggling swimmer.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support
"There's little to earn and many to keep" (Charles Kingsley).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
To set free from the consequences of sin; redeem
prayed to save his soul.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
To avoid spending (money or time) in an amount less than what circumstances normally require
saved $25 at the sale.
saved 15 minutes by taking a shortcut.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
To prevent the waste or loss of; conserve
bought an efficient device that saves electricity.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
To treat with care by avoiding fatigue, wear, or damage; spare
wore sunglasses to save his eyesight.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
To make unnecessary; obviate
By carrying two bags you can save an extra trip.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
To cause to continue in a state, condition, or course of action
tried to keep the patient calm.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
(Sports) To prevent (a goal) from being scored by blocking a shot. Used of a goalie.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
To restrain
kept the child away from the stove.
kept the crowd back with barriers.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
(Baseball) To preserve (another pitcher's win) by protecting one's team's lead during a stint of relief pitching.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
(Computers) To copy (a file) from a computer's main memory to a disk or other storage medium.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
(Baseball) A preservation by a relief pitcher of another pitcher's win.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
To remain in a state or condition; stay
keep in line.
keep quiet.
kept well.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
With the exception of; except
"No man enjoys self-reproach save a masochist" (Philip Wylie).
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May 03, 2023
◉Save
Were it not; except
The house would be finished by now, save that we had difficulty contracting a roofer.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
To restrain oneself; hold oneself back
I couldn't keep from eavesdropping.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
To help (somebody) to survive, or rescue (somebody or something) from harm.
She was saved from drowning by a passer-by.
We were able to save a few of our possessions from the house fire.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
(Christianity) To redeem or protect someone from eternal damnation.
Jesus Christ came to save sinners.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
To remain faithful to a given promise or word.
to keep one's word;
to keep one's promise
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
(baseball) To preserve, as a relief pitcher, (a win of another pitcher's on one's team) by defending the lead held when the other pitcher left the game.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
To maintain possession of.
I keep a small stock of painkillers for emergencies.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
(transitive) To store for future use.
Let's save the packaging in case we need to send the product back.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
(transitive) To conserve or prevent the wasting of.
Save electricity by turning off the lights when you leave the room.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
(transitive) To record transactions, accounts, or events in.
I used to keep a diary.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
To write a file to disk or other storage medium.
Where did I save that document? I can't find it on the desktop.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
(with from) To watch over, look after, guard, protect.
May the Lord keep you from harm.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
To refrain from romantic or (especially in later use) sexual relationships until one is married or is with a suitable partner.
She told me she's saving herself for marriage.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
To supply with necessities and financially support (a person).
He kept a mistress for over ten years.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
(of living things) To raise; to care for.
He has been keeping orchids since retiring.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
In various sports, a block that prevents an opponent from scoring.
The goaltender made a great save.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
(baseball) A successful attempt by a relief pitcher to preserve the win of another pitcher on one's team.
Jones retired seven to earn the save.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
To maintain (an establishment or institution); to conduct; to manage.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
A point in a professional wrestling match when one or more wrestlers run to the ring to aid a fellow wrestler who is being beaten.
The giant wrestler continued to beat down his smaller opponent, until several wrestlers ran in for the save.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
(informal) An action that brings one back out of an awkward situation.
Nice save.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
(computing) The act, process, or result of saving data to a storage medium.
If you're hit by a power cut, you'll lose all of your changes since your last save.
The game console can store up to eight saves on a single cartridge.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
(obsolete) To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
She kept to her bed while the fever lasted.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
To remain edible or otherwise usable.
Potatoes can keep if they are in a root cellar.
Latex paint won't keep indefinitely.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
(copulative) To remain in a state.
The rabbit avoided detection by keeping still.
Keep calm! There's no need to panic.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
To make safe; to procure the safety of; to preserve from injury, destruction, or evil of any kind; to rescue from impending danger; as, to save a house from the flames.
God save all this fair company.
He cried, saying, Lord, save me.
Thou hast . . . quitted all to saveA world from utter loss.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
To act as wicket-keeper.
Godfrey Evans kept for England for many years.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
Specifically, to deliver from sin and its penalty; to rescue from a state of condemnation and spiritual death, and bring into a state of spiritual life.
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
To keep from being spent or lost; to secure from waste or expenditure; to lay up; to reserve.
Now save a nation, and now save a groat.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
To rescue from something undesirable or hurtful; to prevent from doing something; to spare.
I'll save youThat labor, sir. All's now done.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
(transitive) To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; to not swerve from or violate.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
To hinder from doing, suffering, or happening; to obviate the necessity of; to prevent; to spare.
Will you not speak to save a lady's blush?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
To hold possession or use of; to escape loss of.
Just saving the tide, and putting in a stock of merit.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
To observe or celebrate (a holiday).
The feast of St. Stephen is kept on December 26.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
To avoid unnecessary expense or expenditure; to prevent waste; to be economical.
Brass ordnance saveth in the quantity of the material.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
(historical) The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
Except; excepting; not including; leaving out; deducting; reserving; saving.
Five times received I forty stripes save one.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
(obsolete) The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge; notice.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
(sports) the act of preventing the opposition from scoring;
the goalie made a brilliant save
the relief pitcher got credit for a save
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.
to be in good keep
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
to keep up and reserve for personal or special use;
She saved the old family photographs in a drawer
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
(engineering) A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
bring into safety;
We pulled through most of the victims of the bomb attack
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
make unnecessary an expenditure or effort;
This will save money
I'll save you the trouble
This will save you a lot of time
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
To preserve from danger, harm, or loss; to guard.
Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
To preserve from discovery or publicity; not to communicate, reveal, or betray, as a secret.
Great are thy virtues . . . though kept from man.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
spend sparingly, avoid the waste of;
This move will save money
The less fortunate will have to economize now
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
retain rights to;
keep my job for me while I give birth
keep my seat, please
keep open the possibility of a merger
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
Save can mean to set aside money for future use.
She tries to save a portion of her income every month.
Muazma Batool
Sep 30, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
Save can mean to keep data by copying it to a storage medium.
Don’t forget to save your work on the computer.
Olivia
Sep 30, 2023
◉Keep
To supply with necessaries of life; to entertain; as, to keep boarders.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Save
Save might mean to preserve something and prevent it from being discarded.
She wanted to save the historic building from demolition.
Kaitlyn
Sep 30, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
To last; to endure; to remain unimpaired.
If the malt be not thoroughly dried, the ale it makes will not keep.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
Knock at his study, where, they say, he keeps.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
Keep that the lusts choke not the word of God that is in us.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case; as, to be in good keep.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
That which is kept in charge; a charge.
Often he used of his keepA sacrifice to bring.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
retain possession of;
Can I keep my old stuffed animals?
She kept her maiden name after she married
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
conform one's action or practice to;
keep appointments
she never keeps her promises
We kept to the original conditions of the contract
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
observe correctly or closely;
The pianist kept time with the metronome
keep count
I cannot keep track of all my employees
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
look after; be the keeper of; have charge of;
He keeps the shop when I am gone
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
maintain by writing regular records;
keep a diary
maintain a record
keep notes
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
supply with room and board;
He is keeping three women in the guest cottage
keep boarders
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
celebrate, as of holidays or rites;
Keep the commandments
celebrate Christmas
Observe Yom Kippur
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
keep under control; keep in check;
suppress a smile
Keep your temper
keep your cool
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
retain rights to;
keep my job for me while I give birth
keep my seat, please
keep open the possibility of a merger
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
maintain for use and service;
I keep a car in the countryside
She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Keep
Keep can mean to continue or cause to continue in a specified condition.
He struggled to keep his balance.
Leo
Sep 30, 2023
◉Keep
Keep can refer to putting something in a specified place for storage.
Please keep your shoes in the rack.
Henry
Sep 30, 2023
◉Keep
Keep also means to provide for the sustenance of someone.
She could barely keep her family on her salary.
Lucas
Sep 30, 2023
Keep vs. Save Frequently Asked Questions
What is the general meaning of keep
Keep generally means to retain possession of something.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
In what context is save more actively used than keep
Save is more actively used in contexts of rescue or preventing harm.
Jonathan
Sep 30, 2023
How does keep relate to continuing a specific condition
Keep can mean to continue or cause to continue in a specified condition.
Jonathan
Sep 30, 2023
How does the basic meaning of save differ from keep
Save typically means to reserve, protect, or rescue something.
Muazma Batool
Sep 30, 2023
When discussing preservation for future use, which word is more apt
Save is more apt when discussing preservation for future use.
Jonathan
Sep 30, 2023
Does keep imply a change of state in something or someone
Keep generally does not imply a change of state.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
Is keep used in the context of danger or rescuing
Keep is not commonly used in contexts of danger or rescuing.
Levi
Sep 30, 2023
Can keep imply an action done for the future
Keep may not necessarily imply an action done for future purposes.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
Does save imply an act of protecting or preventing harm
Yes, save often implies protecting or preventing harm or danger.
Henry
Sep 30, 2023
How does save operate in the context of data management
In data management, save refers to storing data for future access.
Lucas
Sep 30, 2023
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