key
An object designed to open and close a lock or to activate or deactivate something, especially a length of metal inserted into a narrow opening on the lock to which it is matched (keyed).
Noun 4 meanings
An object designed to open and close a lock or to activate or deactivate something, especially a length of metal inserted into a narrow opening on the lock to which it is matched (keyed).
“This key is to the backdoor.”
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 crucial step or requirement.
“Persistence is the key to solving this problem.”
Senses relating to a guide that identifies information.
“The key says that A stands for the accounting department.”
Adjective 2 meanings
Indispensable, supremely important.
“He is the key player on his soccer team.”
Important, salient.
“She makes several key points.”
Verb 4 meanings
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.
To depress (a telegraph key).
Etymology
From Middle English keye, kaye, keiȝe, from Old English cǣġ (“key, solution, experiment”) (whence also Scots key and kay (“key”)), from Anglo-Frisian Proto-West Germanic *kaiju, of uncertain origin.
Similar and opposite words
KEY at a glance
KEY has 3 letters and scores 10 points in Scrabble (K 5 + E 1 + Y 4) and 9 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #753 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with key
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