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

to key

14 7.2
To tune an instrument so it matches other instruments or a singer
  • verb
  • /ki/
translation icon : 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 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 modulate
vsto key
  • Specialized
1 7.4

Change a piece of music from one key to another

describes internal shifts rather than adjusting whole items to a 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
228 2.8

The main thing that makes something succeed or work

under lock and key
16 3.0

Kept in a locked place so people cannot take it

to throw away the key
  • Informal
12 8.8

Put someone in prison for life with no hope of release

to lock him up and throw away the key
  • Informal
2 9.5

Put someone in prison and never let them out

out of key
1 5.8

Not singing or playing the right musical notes

in a minor key
  • Specialized
1 6.6

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

key to combating
3.9

An important thing or action that helps deal with a problem

to lock up and toss the key
  • Informal
9.3

Put someone in prison and never let them leave

moderation is key
4.2

Avoid extremes and do things in a balanced way

timing is key
4.2

Doing something at the right moment is important for success

Phrasal Verbs

to key in
3 3.4

To type information into a computer or device using a keyboard

to key down
5.5

To type notes or information on a computer keyboard

to key out
  • Jargon
8.4

Find the name of a plant or animal using a guide

to sing in key
4.0

To match your voice to the notes of the song

Compounds

key point
43 3.1

A main idea in a talk or report

key issues
42 2.3

The main problems in a discussion or situation

key player
40 3.2

An important person who helps decide what happens in a group

key role
33 3.6

An important part of a process, event, or group

key ingredient
12 3.5

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

off-key
12 4.5

A voice or instrument that sounds in the wrong pitch

key figure
12 3.8

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

key lime
  • US
11 3.0

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

key ring
6 1.0

A small metal ring that holds keys together

key evidence
5 3.7

Important proof that helps decide a legal case or argument

key word
4 3.5

An important word used to find a text in a search

master key
4 3.4

A key that opens many different locks in a building

minor key
2 5.9

A set of notes that sounds sad or serious

ignition key
2 2.3

A metal key used to start a car engine

shift key
1 2.7

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

key fob
1 3.8

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

key word
  • Specialized
1 6.2

A word that unlocks a secret message

church key
  • Archaic
1 8.7

A small metal tool for making holes to open cans

command key
  • Specialized
1 3.6

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

backspace key
1 2.6

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

Florida key
  • US
1 4.7

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

key ring
  • Specialized
1 4.1

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

major key
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A set of musical notes that sounds bright and happy

hex key
  • Specialized
1 4.2

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

return key
1 2.1

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

tab key
  • Specialized
1 2.3

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

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

skeleton key
1 6.7

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

control key
  • Specialized
2.8

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

Allen key
  • UK
4.7

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

ash-key
  • Specialized
9.9

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

key fob
3.6

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

key fruit
  • Specialized
9.3

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

key signature
  • Specialized
5.5

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

key signature
  • Specialized
8.1

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

key staging post
6.7

An important stop that helps people or goods move forward

key in
3.2

An act of typing information into a computer or device

key of the street
  • Slang
9.9

Useful knowledge needed to survive and fit into street life

key palm
  • US
7.2

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

key pattern
6.7

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

master key
  • Specialized
4.2

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

Greek key
7.1

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

home key
  • Specialized
6.8

The main set of notes a piece of music returns to

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

screw key
  • Specialized
5.5

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

tonic key
  • Specialized
8.1

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

skeleton key
  • Specialized
7.5

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

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

watch key
  • Archaic
9.0

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

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.