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🔑 A lock opener ⭐ Very important 🗝️ An answer or solution 🏝️ A small island ⌨️ A button 🎶 Music notes group 🛠️ To adjust 🪓 To scratch 💊 A kilogram drug 🏀 Painted area 🏛️ A top stone 🕰️ A winding tool 🌰 A winged seed 🔬 To identify
to key

to key

17 7.2
To tune an instrument so it matches other instruments or a singer
  • verb
  • /ki/
: ajustar
  • " How do you know this bloke?" he asked, keying the computer to start its search.
  • keyed to a specific standard

So your house door, your garage door, your back door could all be re keyed to the same lock sets you use for your side gates.

Examples

  • The seller, upon receipt of a purchase order, keys the information into its computer system.

    Academic text (1990)

  • In a general way, the color design has been keyed to the sequence's dramatic mood.

    Academic text (1998)

  • So what would I do before I would key up my radio, take a breath.

  • OK, we decrease key all of these guys.

  • Launch base has to key their gear.

    G.I. Jane (1997)

  • The assessment program is keyed to a set of goals and objectives adopted by the school board.

    Academic text (1992)

  • The software comes on a CD-ROM, which also includes a tutorial keyed to an optional textbook.

    Academic text (1998)

  • The technician needs to key the settings to match the factory specifications.

  • Before the concert, she will key the piano to ensure it is in tune.

  • The architect keys the plans to the client's requirements for better coordination.

Synonyms

to modulate
vsto key
  • Specialized
2 7.4

Change a piece of music from one key to another

describes internal shifts rather than adjusting whole items to a standard
to transpose
vsto key
  • Specialized
1 7.2

Change the key of a song to make it higher or lower

is broader meaning to adjust things to match a chosen standard
to rekey
vsto key
  • Specialized
7.1

To change a song's key to make it higher or lower

focuses on changing pitch rather than general harmonizing to a standard

Idioms

the key to
351 2.8

The main thing that makes something succeed or work

to throw away the key
  • Informal
18 8.8

Put someone in prison for life with no hope of release

under lock and key
17 3.0

Kept in a locked place so people cannot take it

out of key
1 5.8

Not singing or playing the right musical notes

moderation is key
1 4.2

Avoid extremes and do things in a balanced way

timing is key
1 4.2

Doing something at the right moment is important for success

in a minor key
  • Specialized
1 6.6

Music that uses notes that make the song sound sad or serious

key to combating
1 3.9

An important thing or action that helps deal with a problem

to lock him up and throw away the key
  • Informal
9.5

Put someone in prison and never let them out

to lock up and toss the key
  • Informal
9.3

Put someone in prison and never let them leave

Phrasal Verbs

to key in
3 3.4

To type information into a computer or device using a keyboard

to sing in key
1 4.0

To match your voice to the notes of the song

to key out
  • Jargon
1 8.4

Find the name of a plant or animal using a guide

to key down
5.5

To type notes or information on a computer keyboard

Compounds

key issues
51 2.3

The main problems in a discussion or situation

key point
47 3.1

A main idea in a talk or report

key word
46 3.5

An important word used to find a text in a search

key player
42 3.2

An important person who helps decide what happens in a group

key role
35 3.6

An important part of a process, event, or group

key ingredient
15 3.5

The most important part of something, often in a recipe or plan

key figure
14 3.8

An important person who plays the main role in a group or event

key lime
  • US
14 3.0

A small round yellow-green lime with a very tart taste used in desserts

off-key
13 4.5

A voice or instrument that sounds in the wrong pitch

key evidence
12 3.7

Important proof that helps decide a legal case or argument

master key
11 3.4

A key that opens many different locks in a building

key ring
10 1.0

A small metal ring that holds keys together

skeleton key
3 6.7

A metal tool that opens many similar locks by having most teeth cut away

key fob
3 3.8

A small electronic device on a key ring that opens doors or starts a car

ignition key
2 2.3

A metal key used to start a car engine

minor key
2 5.9

A set of notes that sounds sad or serious

key word
  • Specialized
2 6.2

A word that unlocks a secret message

shift key
2 2.7

A key on a keyboard that makes letters capital and types other characters

major key
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A set of musical notes that sounds bright and happy

Florida key
  • US
1 4.7

A small low island of coral or limestone off the southern coast of Florida

key signature
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A digital mark added to a public key to show who owns it

command key
  • Specialized
1 3.6

A key on Apple keyboards that you press with other keys to use shortcuts

master key
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A secret code that lets you open many protected files or services

telegraph key
  • Archaic
1 7.7

A small lever device used to send messages as dots and dashes by making and breaking an electric circuit

return key
1 2.1

A key on a keyboard that moves the cursor to a new line or starts a new command

control key
  • Specialized
1 2.8

A key on a computer keyboard that you press with other keys to do special actions

backspace key
1 2.6

A key on a keyboard that deletes the letter or number before the cursor

tab key
  • Specialized
1 2.3

A key on a keyboard that moves the cursor to the right to indent or align text

hex key
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A small L-shaped tool used to turn screws with a six-sided hole

watch key
  • Archaic
1 9.0

A small metal key with a square hole used to wind old pocket devices that tell time

church key
  • Archaic
1 8.7

A small metal tool for making holes to open cans

screw key
  • Specialized
1 5.5

A small tool that fits into a screw head to turn it

skeleton key
  • Specialized
1 7.5

A secret password that lets someone get into many accounts or systems

Allen key
  • UK
1 4.7

A small L-shaped metal tool used to turn bolts and screws with six-sided holes

key signature
  • Specialized
1 5.5

A set of sharps or flats at the start of written music showing its key

key fob
1 3.6

A small thing on a key ring that makes keys easier to find

home key
  • Specialized
1 6.8

The main set of notes a piece of music returns to

Greek key
1 7.1

A repeating decorative border made from one continuous line that forms square corners

tonic key
  • Specialized
1 8.1

The main note and scale that a piece of music returns to

key palm
  • US
1 7.2

A small fan-shaped tree that grows in southern Florida and Cuba

key ring
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A secure place on a computer that stores passwords and secret codes for apps and the system

key of the street
  • Slang
1 9.9

Useful knowledge needed to survive and fit into street life

key staging post
1 6.7

An important stop that helps people or goods move forward

key pattern
1 6.7

A repeated decorative border of straight lines that turn in square corners, often on vases and buildings

ash-key
  • Specialized
9.9

A seed with a thin wing from an ash tree that the wind carries

key fruit
  • Specialized
9.3

A winged fruit from maple or ash trees with one seed that spins as it falls

key in
3.2

An act of typing information into a computer or device

Inbus key
  • Specialized
9.0

A small metal tool with a six-sided end for turning screws with a matching hole

nut key
  • Jargon
8.9

A small tool climbers use to pull metal pieces from cracks in rock

Unbrako key
  • Specialized
7.4

A small metal tool with a six-sided tip that turns screws with a six-sided hole in the head

Surface Forms

key infinitive
keyed past
keyed past participle
keying present participle
keys third person singular

Etymology

To key an instrument or system means to set or tune it to the right standard, coming from the idea of putting something into the correct 'key' so it will work.