key
noun · adjective · verb
Simple meaning
A metal object used to open locks, or a list of answers
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
keeIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈki
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
countable
An object designed to open and close a lock.
An object designed to fit between two other objects (such as a shaft and a wheel) in a mechanism and maintain their relative orientation.
A list of answers to a test
“Some students had stolen the key to the final exam.”
A crucial step or requirement.
A guide to the correct answers of a worksheet or test.
A small guide explaining symbols or terminology, especially the legend on a map or chart.
adjective
Indispensable, supremely important.
Important, salient.
verb
To fit (a lock) with a key.
To fit (pieces of a mechanical assembly) with a key to maintain the orientation between them.
To mark or indicate with a symbol indicating membership in a class.
telegraphy and radio telegraphy
To depress (a telegraph key).
To link (as one might do with a key or legend).
To attune to; to set at; to pitch.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- A1 · Beginner (estimated)
- Frequency
- Very Common
- Typical Use
- General English
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: An object designed to open and close a lock.
Used this way, key is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Matter-of-fact
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use key
- “Some students had stolen the key to the final exam.”noun
- “The key to development is economic integration.”noun
- “A safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it.”noun
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
Synonyms
Sense: indispensable or supremely important
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.