key
gb/kˈi/ us/kˈi/
A1
English
~ 1500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
Device for opening or locking
A small object used to open or lock something like a door or car.
Usage pattern:
a key to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'key' (the object) with 'key' meaning 'important'. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
Synonyms
passkey (A master key that can open multiple locks)
Antonyms
lock (The mechanism that prevents opening without a key)
Collocations
house key
|car key
|door key
|spare key
|key ring
Themes
daily life
|home
|security
|daily_life
|housing
|transportation
Examples
- I can't find my house key anywhere.
- She handed the car key to her son.
- The janitor carries a large ring of keys.
- He left the spare key under the doormat.
- This key won’t fit the lock.
Learner examples
- I have a key for my room.
- This is the key to the door.
- Please give me the car key.
- I lost my house key.
- He has many keys on his ring.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Important factor for success
The most important thing needed to do or get something.
Usage pattern:
the key to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may forget to use 'the' before 'key' in this sense, e.g., saying 'Key to success' instead of 'The key to success'.
Synonyms
crucial element (Stresses its vital importance)
Antonyms
minor detail (Something not important to the outcome)
Collocations
key factor
|key role
|key point
|key to success
|key element
Themes
success
|business
|problem-solving
|core_vocabulary
|education
Examples
- Hard work is the key to success.
- Communication is the key to a good relationship.
- Understanding the problem is the key to solving it.
- Planning ahead is the key to avoiding mistakes.
- Trust is the key to teamwork.
Learner examples
- Good health is the key to happiness.
- Practice is the key to learning English.
- Water is the key to life.
- Sleep is the key to feeling good.
- Friends are the key to joy.
Noun
technical
B1
entity
3
Musical scale base note
In music, the main group of notes used in a song, starting from one note.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with 'keyboard keys'. Clarify it's about pitch and scale in music.
Synonyms
tonality (More formal term used in music theory)
Antonyms
atonality (Music without a fixed key)
Collocations
in the key of C
|major key
|minor key
Themes
music
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The song is in the key of G.
- She played the piece in a minor key.
- He changed the song’s key to match his voice.
- The composition shifts from one key to another.
- This melody sounds better in a higher key.
Learner examples
- This song is in the key of C.
- She can play in any key.
- The music changes key here.
- I like songs in a major key.
Noun
A2
entity
4
Button on keyboard or instrument
A button you press on a computer or piano to make letters, numbers, or sounds.
Synonyms
button (General term; less specific than 'key' for devices)
Collocations
press a key
|function keys
|piano keys
Themes
technology
|music
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- Press the enter key to continue.
- Some keys on my keyboard are stuck.
- The piano has 88 keys.
- She hit the wrong key and deleted her work.
- Function keys are at the top of your keyboard.
Learner examples
- Press this key to start.
- The piano has many keys.
- I like to press the keys on my laptop.
- This key makes a sound.
Noun
B1
entity
5
Explanatory list for symbols on map/chart
A list that tells what symbols or colors mean on a map or chart.
Synonyms
legend ('Legend' is often used interchangeably in cartography)
Collocations
map key
|chart key
Themes
geography
|education
|travel
|communication
Examples
- Refer to the map’s key to understand the symbols.
- The chart’s key explains each color code.
- Without the key, it’s hard to read this diagram.
Learner examples
- Look at the map’s key for help.
- The colors are shown in the chart’s key.
- I can read this map with the help of its key.
Grammar
Dictionary form
key
IPA
GB/kˈi/
US/kˈi/
Syllables & stress
key (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (key)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: key
- Plural: keys
Word family
Expressions
key in
1/kˈi ˈɪn/
phrasal verb
Enter data using keyboard keys
To put information into a computer by pressing its keys.
Examples
- Please key in your password to log in.
- She keyed in all the customer details before lunch.
key point
1/kˈi pˈɔɪnt/
fixed phrase
Most important idea in discussion/text
The most important thing someone says or writes about a topic.
Examples
- One key point from his speech was about climate change.
- Let me summarize the key points of the report.
key to success
1/kˈi tə səksˈɛs/
fixed phrase
Most important factor for success
The most important thing needed to be successful.
Examples
- Hard work is often called the key to success.
- Many believe education is the key to success.
key player
1/kˈi plˈeɪɚ/
fixed phrase
Person with major role in activity/organization
An important person in a team or group who helps it succeed.
Examples
- He was a key player in the negotiations.
- She is a key player in our marketing team.
- Several key players were absent from the meeting.
- He was one of the key players in winning the championship.
under lock and key
1/ˈʌndɚ lˈɑk ˈænd kˈi/
idiom
Kept securely locked away
Kept somewhere safe and locked so no one can get it easily.
Examples
- The jewels are kept under lock and key at all times.
- The jewels are kept under lock and key.
- Sensitive documents should be under lock and key.
- Important documents are stored under lock and key.