Keep vs. Save: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on September 27, 2023
"Keep" refers to maintaining possession or care of something, while "Save" means to set aside or rescue from harm.
Key Differences
"Keep" and "Save" are both verbs that share similarities in usage, but they hold distinctive nuances. The word "Keep" implies the act of retaining possession or continuing a particular condition, behavior, or practice. When one decides to keep an object, they're deciding to have it in their possession for an indefinite period. Similarly, if someone says they will keep doing something, they intend to continue that behavior or action.
"Save", on the other hand, carries the connotation of rescuing or preserving from harm, loss, or destruction. In the context of money, to save means to set aside a portion of one's earnings for future use. It could also imply preventing waste, as in saving time or saving electricity. Additionally, the word can mean to store data in computer terminology or to rescue someone in distress, as in saving someone from drowning.
While "Keep" often denotes a sense of routine, maintenance, or continuity, "Save" emphasizes preservation, rescue, or prevention of waste. For instance, one might keep a diary regularly, denoting a routine, whereas one might save a letter from a loved one, signifying its emotional value and the desire to protect it from loss.
To elucidate further, consider the case of a document on a computer. When a user decides to "Keep" the document, it might mean they are retaining it for further use. But when they decide to "Save" it, they're ensuring the data gets stored and isn't lost due to unforeseen issues like power cuts.
Comparison Chart
Basic Definition
To retain or continue a particular state or possession.
To set aside, rescue from harm, or store for future use.
ADVERTISEMENT
Contextual Usage
Maintaining a routine or possession.
Preserving, rescuing, or preventing waste.
Grammatical Role
Often used as a verb, but can also be a noun (e.g., keeper).
Primarily a verb, but can be a noun (e.g., savings).
Examples
Keeping a secret, keepsake.
Saving money, save the date.
Level of Action
Implies a state of holding or continuation.
Suggests preservation, rescue, or prevention of loss.
Keep and Save Definitions
Keep
To retain possession of something.
I decided to keep the book.
ADVERTISEMENT
Save
To rescue from danger or harm.
The lifeguard managed to save the swimmer.
Keep
To maintain in a particular condition.
She keeps her room tidy.
Save
To set aside or store, especially money.
I save a portion of my salary every month.
Keep
To care or provide for.
She keeps a cat and two dogs.
Save
To make an exception for.
Everyone laughed, save for Mike.
Keep
To guard or defend.
He keeps the goal with skill.
Save
To rescue from harm, danger, or loss
The lifeguard saved the struggling swimmer.
Keep
To retain possession of
Kept the change.
Must keep your composure.
Save
To prevent from dying
The doctors saved the patient.
Keep
To have as a supply
Keep spare parts in case of emergency.
Save
To set free from the consequences of sin; redeem
Prayed to save his soul.
Keep
To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support
"There's little to earn and many to keep" (Charles Kingsley).
Save
To keep in a safe or healthy condition
God save King Richard!.
Keep
To support (a mistress or lover) financially.
Save
To hold back for future use
Saved his best song for the encore.
Keep
To put customarily; store
Where do you keep your saw?.
Save
To avoid spending (money) so as to keep or accumulate it.
Keep
To supply with room and board for a charge
Keep boarders.
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.
Keep
To raise
Keep chickens.
Save
To prevent the waste or loss of; conserve
Bought an efficient device that saves electricity.
Keep
To maintain for use or service
An urbanite who didn't keep a car.
Save
To treat with care by avoiding fatigue, wear, or damage; spare
Wore sunglasses to save his eyesight.
Keep
To manage, tend, or have charge of
Keep the shop while I'm away.
Save
To make unnecessary; obviate
By carrying two bags you can save an extra trip.
Keep
To preserve (food).
Save
To spare (someone) from having to do something.
Keep
To cause to continue in a state, condition, or course of action
Tried to keep the patient calm.
Save
(Sports) To prevent (a goal) from being scored by blocking a shot. Used of a goalie.
Keep
To maintain records or entries in
Keep a yearly diary.
Save
To prevent an opponent from scoring (a point).
Keep
To enter (data) in a book
Keep financial records.
Save
To preserve a victory in (a game).
Keep
To detain
Was kept after school.
Save
(Baseball) To preserve (another pitcher's win) by protecting one's team's lead during a stint of relief pitching.
Keep
To restrain
Kept the child away from the stove.
Kept the crowd back with barriers.
Save
(Computers) To copy (a file) from a computer's main memory to a disk or other storage medium.
Keep
To prevent or deter
Tried to keep the ice from melting.
Save
To avoid waste or expense; economize.
Keep
To refrain from divulging
Keep a secret.
Save
To accumulate money
Saving for a vacation.
Keep
To save; reserve
Keep extra money for emergencies.
Save
To preserve a person or thing from harm or loss.
Keep
To adhere or conform to; follow
Keep late hours.
Save
(Sports) An act that prevents a ball or puck from entering a goal.
Keep
To be faithful to; fulfill
Keep one's word.
Save
(Baseball) A preservation by a relief pitcher of another pitcher's win.
Keep
To celebrate; observe
Keep the Sabbath.
Save
With the exception of; except
"No man enjoys self-reproach save a masochist" (Philip Wylie).
Keep
To remain in a state or condition; stay
Keep in line.
Keep quiet.
Kept well.
Save
Were it not; except
The house would be finished by now, save that we had difficulty contracting a roofer.
Keep
To continue to do
Keep on talking.
Keep guessing.
Save
Unless.
Keep
To remain fresh or unspoiled
The dessert won't keep.
Save
(transitive) To prevent harm or difficulty.
Keep
To restrain oneself; hold oneself back
I couldn't keep from eavesdropping.
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.
Keep
Care; charge
The child is in my keep for the day.
Save
To keep (something) safe; to safeguard.
Keep
The means by which one is supported
Earn one's keep.
Save
To spare (somebody) from effort, or from something undesirable.
Keep
The stronghold of a castle.
Save
(Christianity) To redeem or protect someone from eternal damnation.
Jesus Christ came to save sinners.
Keep
A jail.
Save
(sports) To catch or deflect (a shot at goal).
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
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.
Keep
To remain faithful to a given promise or word.
To keep one's word;
To keep one's promise
Save
To put aside, to avoid.
Keep
(transitive) To hold the status of something.
Save
(transitive) To store for future use.
Let's save the packaging in case we need to send the product back.
Keep
To maintain possession of.
I keep a small stock of painkillers for emergencies.
Save
(transitive) To conserve or prevent the wasting of.
Save electricity by turning off the lights when you leave the room.
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.
Save
(transitive) To obviate or make unnecessary.
Keep
(transitive) To record transactions, accounts, or events in.
I used to keep a diary.
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.
Keep
(transitive) To enter (accounts, records, etc.) in a book.
Save
(intransitive) To economize or avoid waste.
Keep
(archaic) To remain in; to be confined to.
Save
To accumulate money or valuables.
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.
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.
Keep
(with from) To watch over, look after, guard, protect.
May the Lord keep you from harm.
Save
An instance of preventing (further) harm or difficulty.
Keep
To supply with necessities and financially support (a person).
He kept a mistress for over ten years.
Save
In various sports, a block that prevents an opponent from scoring.
The goaltender made a great save.
Keep
(of living things) To raise; to care for.
He has been keeping orchids since retiring.
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.
Keep
To refrain from freely disclosing (a secret).
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.
Keep
To maintain (an establishment or institution); to conduct; to manage.
Save
(informal) An action that brings one back out of an awkward situation.
Nice save.
Keep
To have habitually in stock for sale.
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.
Keep
(intransitive) To hold or be held in a state.
Save
(RPG) A saving throw.
Keep
(obsolete) To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
She kept to her bed while the fever lasted.
Save
Except; with the exception of.
Keep
To continue.
I keep taking the tablets, but to no avail.
Save
Unless; except
Keep
To remain edible or otherwise usable.
Potatoes can keep if they are in a root cellar.
Latex paint won't keep indefinitely.
Save
The herb sage, or salvia.
Keep
(copulative) To remain in a state.
The rabbit avoided detection by keeping still.
Keep calm! There's no need to panic.
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.
Keep
(obsolete) To wait for, keep watch for.
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.
Keep
To act as wicket-keeper.
Godfrey Evans kept for England for many years.
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.
Keep
To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
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.
Keep
To be in session; to take place.
School keeps today.
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?
Keep
(transitive) To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; to not swerve from or violate.
Save
To hold possession or use of; to escape loss of.
Just saving the tide, and putting in a stock of merit.
Keep
To visit (a place) often; to frequent.
Save
To avoid unnecessary expense or expenditure; to prevent waste; to be economical.
Brass ordnance saveth in the quantity of the material.
Keep
To observe or celebrate (a holiday).
The feast of St. Stephen is kept on December 26.
Save
Except; excepting; not including; leaving out; deducting; reserving; saving.
Five times received I forty stripes save one.
Keep
(historical) The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.
Save
Except; unless.
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.
Save
(sports) the act of preventing the opposition from scoring;
The goalie made a brilliant save
The relief pitcher got credit for a save
Keep
(obsolete) The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge; notice.
Save
Save from ruin, destruction, or harm
Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.
To be in good keep
Save
To keep up and reserve for personal or special use;
She saved the old family photographs in a drawer
Keep
(obsolete) That which is kept in charge; a charge.
Save
Bring into safety;
We pulled through most of the victims of the bomb attack
Keep
(engineering) A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.
Save
Spend less; buy at a reduced price
Keep
To care; to desire.
I kepe not of armes for to yelp [boast].
Save
Feather one's nest; have a nest egg;
He saves half his salary
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.
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
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.
Save
Save from sins
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.
Save
Refrain from harming
Keep
To preserve from danger, harm, or loss; to guard.
Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee.
Save
Spend sparingly, avoid the waste of;
This move will save money
The less fortunate will have to economize now
Keep
To preserve from discovery or publicity; not to communicate, reveal, or betray, as a secret.
Great are thy virtues . . . though kept from man.
Save
Retain rights to;
Keep my job for me while I give birth
Keep my seat, please
Keep open the possibility of a merger
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.
Save
To prevent waste or loss.
Turning off lights can save electricity.
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.
Save
To store data in a computing context.
Don't forget to save your work on the computer.
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 behavior or action.
He keeps interrupting me.
FAQs
Can "Keep" refer to defending or guarding?
Yes, as in phrases like "keep the gate" or "keep watch".
Can "Save" be used in the context of exceptions?
Yes, like in "All were present, save for John."
Can "Keep" refer to a routine?
Yes, "Keep" can denote maintaining or continuing a routine or behavior.
Is "Save" used in technology contexts?
Yes, often in terms of storing or backing up data, as in "save a file".
Can "Keep" mean to provide care?
Absolutely, as in "She keeps a garden" or "They keep bees".
Does "Keep" always imply forever?
Not necessarily. "Keep" implies retention but not always permanently.
Does "Save" always refer to money?
No, "Save" can mean preserving anything from harm or setting aside for future use.
Can "Keep" denote a state or condition?
Yes, as in "keep quiet" or "keep still".
What's the difference between a keepsake and something saved?
A keepsake is an item kept for sentimental reasons, while something saved is preserved from harm or loss.
Can "Save" refer to a rescue?
Yes, like saving someone from a dangerous situation.
Does "Keep" suggest ownership?
Often, as retaining possession implies having ownership or responsibility.
Is "Save" always about preventing negative outcomes?
Mostly, but it can also mean setting aside or storing positively, as in savings for a vacation.
Is "Save" synonymous with "protect"?
In many contexts, yes, especially when referring to preventing harm.
How does "Save" relate to discounts?
It can denote a reduction in price or cost, as in "save 20% on your purchase".
Can "Keep" be a noun?
Yes, as in "a castle's keep", though it's less common than its verb form.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
