Key

/ki:/
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Definition

  1. Adjective:

    • Essential, central, or of crucial importance: Serving as a fundamental or principal component.
    • Pivotal in function or position: Being of primary significance in a system or structure.

  2. Noun:

    • A small metal device for operating a lock: A shaped piece of metal that is inserted into a lock to open or close it.
    • A lever on a keyboard: A button pressed to operate a typewriter, computer, or musical instrument.
    • A means of access or control: Something that provides an explanation, solution, or method of achieving something.
    • A set of answers or solutions: A list of correct responses to a test or problem set.
    • A tonal system in music: Any of the 24 major and minor scales that form the harmonic basis of a piece of music.
    • The pitch or tone of voice: The characteristic level or style of someone's speech.
    • A crucial or central element: The most important part of an explanation or strategy.
    • A low island or reef: A small, low-lying island or coral formation.
    • A kilogram of an illicit drug: (Slang) A unit of measurement for narcotics.

  3. Verb:

    • To harmonize or align: To make something consistent or in accord with something else.
    • To vandalize by scratching: To damage a car's paintwork by scratching it with a key.
    • To provide with a key: To furnish something with a key for operation or access.
    • To identify or classify: (In biology) To systematically identify an organism.
Examples of Usage

  • Adjective:

    • She holds a key position in the company.
    • Trust is a key component of a healthy relationship.

  • Noun:

    • I can't find my house key.
    • Press the 'Enter' key on your keyboard.
    • Education is the key to a better future.
    • The teacher lost the answer key for the quiz.
    • The symphony is written in the key of G minor.
    • He spoke in a cheerful key.

  • Verb:

    • The marketing campaign was keyed to a younger audience.
    • Someone keyed the side of my car in the parking lot.
    • The new apartments were keyed for security.
Advanced Usage

  • "To key in": To enter data by typing on a keyboard.

    • Please key in your password.

  • "To key on": To focus attention on; to target.

    • The defense will key on the opponent's star player.

  • "To be keyed up": To be nervous, tense, or excited.

    • She was keyed up before her big presentation.
Variants and Related Words
  • Keycard (n): A plastic card with a magnetic strip or chip used for electronic access instead of a metal key.
  • Keyboard (n): The set of keys on a piano, computer, or other instrument.
  • Keyhole (n): The hole in a lock where a key is inserted.
  • Keystone (n): The central, foundational stone in an arch; a central principle.
  • Keyword (n): A significant word used in information retrieval or indexing.
Synonyms
  • Adjective: Crucial, vital, essential, fundamental, primary, main.
  • Noun: Answer, solution, clue, opener, pass, cipher.
  • Verb: Align, harmonize, adjust, vandalize, scratch, identify.
Related Phrasal Verbs

  • Key into: To understand or connect with something.

    • It took me a while to key into the new software.

  • Key off: To use something as a basis or starting point.

    • The designer keyed off the client's favorite color for the palette.
Related Idioms

  • "The key to success": The essential factor for achieving success.

    • Hard work is often called the key to success.

  • "Under lock and key": Securely locked away.

    • The documents are kept under lock and key.

  • "To have the key to the street": (Archaic) To be locked out or homeless.

    • After the argument, he found himself with the key to the street.
Adjective
  1. serving as an essential component
    • a cardinal rule
    • the central cause of the problem
    • an example that was fundamental to the argument
    • computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure
Noun
  1. a lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed
  2. the central building block at the top of an arch or vault
  3. mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock)
  4. a generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access
    • a safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it
  5. a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations
  6. a list of answers to a test
    • some students had stolen the key to the final exam
  7. (basketball) a space (including the foul line) in front of the basket at each end of a basketball court; usually painted a different color from the rest of the court
    • he hit a jump shot from the top of the key
    • he dominates play in the paint
  8. a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida
  9. United States lawyer and poet who wrote a poem after witnessing the British attack on Baltimore during the War of 1812; the poem was later set to music and entitled `The Star-Spangled Banner' (1779-1843)
  10. a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple
  11. a kilogram of a narcotic drug
    • they were carrying two keys of heroin
  12. any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music
  13. pitch of the voice
    • he spoke in a low key
  14. something crucial for explaining
    • the key to development is economic integration
  15. metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
Verb
  1. harmonize with or adjust to
    • key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude
  2. regulate the musical pitch of
  3. vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key
    • His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot
  4. provide with a key
    • We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building
  5. identify as in botany or biology, for example

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