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to key

to key

10 8.4
To scratch a car's paint with a sharp object
  • verb
  • /kiː/
: rayar
  • I am just waiting for my car to be keyed because I dare to have a Romney/Ryan sticker.
  • key a car
  • get keyed
  • think someone keyed

The only thing they're interested in charging is anybody who keys a Tesla.

Examples

  • When he found out that someone had keyed his car, he was very upset.

  • The security footage showed a teenager keying parked cars in the lot.

  • - Would your dad ever key a car?

  • You get mad and throw rocks, screw you, key up people's cars.

  • You keyed "truth or dare" into my car door.

  • And girl, if she's keying your car, call the police, OK?

  • I found my car keyed one night after I left it outside but obviously I couldn't prove it's her but enough was enough.

  • The only thing they're interested in charging is anybody who keys a Tesla.

  • Keyed: Someone keyed a 28-year-old Mercer Island man's Jeep overnight in the 3200 block of West Concord Way.

    Blog text (12)
  • It was obvious that the long scratch on her car was caused by someone who had keyed it.

Synonyms

to scratch
vsto key
100 1.1

To cut or mark a surface by scraping it with something sharp

is the same damage but done deliberately on a vehicle using a metal object
to scuff
vsto key
13 3.6

To damage a surface by scraping it with something

is more deliberate harm to a vehicle using a metal object
to scratch up
vsto key
8 3.5

Make small cuts or marks on a surface by rubbing it

is damage aimed at a vehicle and caused deliberately with a metal object
to ding
vsto key
7 3.8

To make a small dent in something, for example on a car or phone

is deliberate surface damage to a vehicle caused with a metal object
1 4.9

Make a small scratch or chip in a painted surface

is the same harm but specifically done on a vehicle with a metal object

Antonyms

371 2.3

Work done to fix something that is broken

Idioms

351 2.8

The main thing that makes something succeed or work

18 8.8

Put someone in prison for life with no hope of release

Kept in a locked place so people cannot take it

1 5.8

Not singing or playing the right musical notes

Avoid extremes and do things in a balanced way

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

An important thing or action that helps deal with a problem

Put someone in prison and never let them out

Put someone in prison and never let them leave

Phrasal Verbs

3 3.4

To type information into a computer or device using a keyboard

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 type notes or information on a computer keyboard

Compounds

51 2.3

The main problems in a discussion or situation

47 3.1

A main idea in a talk or report

46 3.5

An important word used to find a text in a search

42 3.2

An important person who helps decide what happens in a group

35 3.6

An important part of a process, event, or group

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

14 3.8

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

14 3.0

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

13 4.5

A voice or instrument that sounds in the wrong pitch

12 3.7

Important proof that helps decide a legal case or argument

11 3.4

A key that opens many different locks in a building

10 1.0

A small metal ring that holds keys together

3 6.7

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

3 3.8

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

2 2.3

A metal key used to start a car engine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1 9.9

Useful knowledge needed to survive and fit into street life

An important stop that helps people or goods move forward

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

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 a car (scratch it) comes from using a metal key as the tool to make a mark, so the verb is literally to mark with a key.