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Glite Dictionary
🎼 Set in a key 🔑 Has a key
keyed

keyed

6.7
Set in a particular musical key like C major
  • adjective
  • /kiːd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : en tonalidad
  • The song was beautifully keyed in C major, making it uplifting and bright.

Examples

  • The symphony's final movement was keyed in a minor scale, giving it a dramatic feel.

  • She played a keyed melody on the piano that resonated throughout the room.

  • Low D scores describe those who are conservative, low-keyed, cooperative, calculating, undemanding, cautious, mild, agreeable, modest, and peaceful.

    Blog text (9)

Synonyms

pitched
vskeyed
4.0

Having a sound that is clearly high or low

is used specifically for musical pieces set in a particular key or tone

Idioms

keyed up
3 6.9

Feeling nervous and excited, ready to start

How Far

transposition
  • Specialized
7.5
keyed
  • Specialized
6.7

Surface Forms

keyed positive

Morphology

keyed = key (transparent) = key + ed

Formed by the verb 'key' plus the past-participial/ adjectival suffix '-ed'; the musical sense is a direct 'set in a key' interpretation familiar to learners.

Etymology

Keyed comes from the common word key, a small metal tool that opens a lock; by a simple picture, people used key for the main note that 'sets' a piece of music, so music keyed in G is 'set' or 'centered' on G.