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Glite Dictionary
🔑 A key holder 💻 Password storage
keychain

keychain

15 1.1
A small ring or chain that holds keys together
  • noun
  • /ˈkiːˌtʃeɪn/
translation icon : llavero
  • I always keep my house keys attached to my colorful keychain.
  • button on the keychain
  • keychain flashlight
  • leather keychain

So you can actually use this little keychain thing.

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Examples

  • "I was thinking I might like a new keychain."

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Now I have a collection of many keychains on a cork board.

    Blog text (9)

  • So you can actually use this little keychain thing.

    Austin Evans

  • This is so stupid, but my keychain broke, and I can never find my keys.

    Ghost Town (2008)

  • I have a small knife on my keychain.

    Marriage Story (2019)

  • All right, let's see what we can do with that keychain.

    Curious George (2006)

  • Seth takes out his keychain, which is a $50 chip from his casino.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • I think everyone should have a ResQme keychain for that unexpected auto emergency!

    Blog text (27)

  • They found Ms. Kim's keychain near the lake earlier this morning.

    Missing (2023)

  • I do carry a flashlight on my keychain always, even though I have tons of keys—essential!

    Blog text (3)

Synonyms

key ring
vskeychain
6 1.0

A small metal ring that holds keys together

is a broader device for holding and organizing keys
keyfob
vskeychain
4.6

A small object on a key ring used to identify keys or unlock a car from a distance

is mainly for holding and organizing keys rather than decoration

How Portable

key fob
3.6
key ring
6 1.0
keychain
15 1.1
rack
205 1.2
cabinet
168 1.3

Surface Forms

keychain singular
keychains plural

Morphology

keychain = key + chain (transparent) = key + chain

The word 'keychain' is a clear compound of 'key' and 'chain', directly indicating a chain for holding keys.

Etymology

Keychain is a simple name made from key and chain. The key is the small metal tool that opens locks and the chain is a line of linked rings, so a keychain is something that keeps your keys linked and easy to carry.