key

From Wiktionary
key is on the Basic English 850 List.
kettle - key - kick
key is one of the 1000 most common headwords.
keep - key - kid

Pronunciation[change]

Noun[change]

Singular
key

Plural
keys

  1. (countable) A key is a small instrument, usually metal used to open locks.
    I put my key in the lock and turned it.
  2. (countable) (computing) A key is a button used for typing.
    Type your name and hit the ENTER key.
  3. (countable) A key is the part of a keyboard instrument you press with your fingers to play a sound.
    The piano has a pattern of black and white keys.
  4. (music) The key in music is the tonal centre of a piece of music.
    Mozart's Symphony No.40 is written in the key of G minor.

Adjective[change]

Positive
key

Comparative
more key

Superlative
most key

  1. Something that is key, is an important or a main thing.
    Accuracy is a key part of playing music.

Verb[change]

Plain form
key

Third-person singular
keys

Past tense
keyed

Past participle
keyed

Present participle
keying

  1. To key is to lock something with key, or like using a key.
  2. To key is to put locks on a building.
  3. The locksmith was called in to key the building for better security.
  4. To key is to enter information into a computer.
    He keyed in all the data from the survey.

Synonyms[change]

Related words[change]