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1. Dictionary

   Key

   /kē/

   

   noun

   • 1. a small piece of shaped metal with incisions cut to fit the wards of a particular lock, which is inserted into a lock and turned to open or close it: "there were two keys to the cupboard"
   • ▪ a small, shaped metal implement for operating a switch in the form of a lock, especially one operating the ignition of a motor vehicle: "Nat turned the key in the ignition"
   • ▪ short for key card
   • ▪ an instrument for grasping and turning a screw, peg, or nut, especially one for winding a clock or turning a valve.
   • ▪ a pin, bolt, or wedge inserted between other pieces, or fitting into a hole or space designed for it, so as to lock parts together.
   • 2. each of several buttons on a panel for operating a computer, typewriter, or telephone: "press the ENTER key"
   • ▪ a lever depressed by the finger in playing an instrument such as the organ, piano, flute, or concertina: "a piece composed solely for the white keys on the piano"
   • ▪ a lever operating a mechanical device for making or breaking an electric circuit, for example in telegraphy.
   • 3. a thing that provides a means of gaining access to or understanding something: "the key to Jack's behavior may lie submerged in his unhappy past" Similar answercluesolutionexplanationpointercueleadbasis offoundation forrequisite forconditionpreconditionessentialmeanswayroutepathpassportsecretformulaguideglossglossaryinterpretationexplicationtranslationclarificationexpositionannotationindexlegendcode
   • ▪ an explanatory list of symbols used in a map, table, etc.
   • ▪ a set of answers to exercises or problems: "a key at the back of the book provides the answers"
   • ▪ a word or system for solving a cipher or code: "it took him some time to find the key, the connection between the code and the Odyssey"
   • ▪ the first move in the solution of a chess problem.
   • ▪ a field in a record which is used to identify that record uniquely.
   • 4. a group of notes based on a particular note and comprising a scale, regarded as forming the tonal basis of a piece or passage of music: "the key of E minor" Similar tonepitchtimbretonalitytone colormodulation
   • ▪ the tone or pitch of someone's voice: "his voice had changed to a lower key"
   • ▪ the prevailing tone or tenor of a piece of writing, situation, etc.: "it was like the sixties all over again, in a new, more austerely intellectual key" Similar stylecharactermoodveinspiritfeelfeelingflavorqualityhumoratmosphere
   • ▪ the prevailing range of tones or intensities in a painting: "these mauves, lime greens, and saffron yellows recall the high key of El Greco's palette"
   • 5. the dry winged fruit of an ash, maple, or sycamore maple, typically growing in bunches; a samara.
   • 6. the part of a first coat of wall plaster that passes between the laths and so secures the rest.
   • ▪ the roughness of a surface, helping the adhesion of plaster or other material.
   • 7. the keyhole-shaped area marked on the court near each basket, comprising the free-throw circle and the foul line: "he hit another jumper from the top of the key"

   adjective

   • 1. of paramount or crucial importance: "she became a key figure in the suffragette movement"

   verb

   • 1. enter or operate on (data) by means of a computer keyboard or telephone keypad: "not everyone can key data quickly and accurately"
   • 2. fasten (something) in position with a pin, wedge, or bolt: "the coils may be keyed into the slots by fiber wedges"
   • 3. roughen (a surface) to help the adhesion of plaster or other material: "a wooden float with nails driven through it is used to key the wall surface between coats"
   • 4. word (an advertisement in a particular periodical), typically by varying the form of the address given, so as to identify the publication generating particular responses: "one keys advertisements and measures returns"
   • 5. vandalize a car by scraping the paint from it with a key: informal "somebody could key your car and not get punished"
   • 6. be the crucial factor in achieving: informal North American "Ewing keyed a 73–35 advantage on the boards with twenty rebounds"

   Word Origin Old Englishcǣg, cǣge, of unknown origin.

   Derivatives

   • 1. keyer noun
   • 2. keyless adjective

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • K

     5

   • E

     1

   • Y

     4

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryKEY | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   any of the set of moving parts that you press with your fingers on a computer keyboard, or musical instrument to produce letters, numbers, symbols, or musical notes. Shurik76/iStock/Getty Images Plus/GettyImages. Examples. If you press this key, the computer screen will clear.

3. People also ask

   What does key mean?

   • Get a quick, free translation! KEY meaning: 1. a piece of metal that has been cut into a special shape and is used for opening or closing a…. Learn more.

   KEY | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/key

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   How many meanings does the word key have?

   • There are 46 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word key, three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. key has developed meanings and uses in subjects including How common is the word key? How is the word key pronounced? Where does the word key come from?

   key, n.¹ & adj. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary

   www.oed.com/dictionary/key_n1

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   What does keyed mean?

   • keyed (adj.) 1796, "having keys," from key(n.) in the musical sense. Also "to set the tone (of a musical instrument) to a particular key; hence figurative keyed up"excited, high-strung" (1889).

   key | Etymology of key by etymonline

   www.etymonline.com/word/key

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   What is a key in a car?

   • A key is a specially shaped piece of metal that you place in a lock and turn in order to open or lock a door, or to start or stop the engine of a vehicle. They put the key in the door and entered. The keys on a computer keyboard or typewriter are the buttons that you press in order to operate it. Finally, press the Delete key.

   KEY definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/key

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4. dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › keyMeaning of key – Learner’s Dictionary - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › key

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   a piece of metal cut into a particular shape and used for locking things such as doors, or for starting an engine: I've lost my car keys. Fewer examples. I heard someone turn a key in the lock. It's a good idea to keep a spare key somewhere safe. Have you got a key to the house? He had lost his front-door key. I need to get some more keys cut.

5. www.oed.com › dictionary › key_n1key, n.¹ & adj. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English ...

   www.oed.com › dictionary › key_n1

   • Cached

   What does the word key mean? There are 46 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word key , three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionaryKEY definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionary

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   A key is a specially shaped piece of metal that you place in a lock and turn in order to open or lock a door, or to start or stop the engine of a vehicle.

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › english › key_2key adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › english › key_2

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   Definition of key adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › keykey | definition in the Cambridge Essential English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › key

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   key meaning: 1. a piece of metal that you use for locking a door or starting an engine: 2. a list of answers to…. Learn more.

9. www.etymonline.com › word › keykey | Etymology of key by etymonline

   www.etymonline.com › word › key

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   Sep 9, 2023 · key. (n.1) "instrument for opening locks," Middle English keie, from Old English cæg "metal piece that works a lock, key" literal and figurative ("solution, explanation, one who or that which opens the way or explains"), a word of unknown origin, abnormal evolution, and no sure cognates other than Old Frisian kei.