keystroke
gb/kˈistɹˌoʊk/ us/kˈistɹˌoʊk/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
event
1
press of a keyboard key
A keystroke is one press of a key on a keyboard.
Usage pattern:
[do something] with a keystroke; respond to each keystroke
Common mistake:
Often confused with "keyboard" (the device) or written as two words ("key stroke").
Synonyms
key press (A common two-word synonym; same meaning.)
|
keypress (Often used in technical/UI writing; same meaning, different spelling.)
Antonyms
mouse click (A different kind of computer input action (using a mouse instead of the keyboard).)
Collocations
a single keystroke
|one keystroke
|each keystroke
|the wrong keystroke
|an accidental keystroke
|a quick keystroke
|respond to every keystroke
|capture keystrokes
|register keystrokes
|interpret keystrokes
Themes
computing
|writing
|daily_life
Examples
- I hit the wrong keystroke and closed the tab.
- The editor shows suggestions as you type, after each keystroke.
- A single keystroke can undo the last change.
Learner examples
- One keystroke can delete a letter.
- I made a mistake with one keystroke.
Noun
B2
entity
2
character or command from one key
A keystroke can mean the letter or command made when you press a key.
Usage pattern:
the [key] keystroke; interpret a keystroke
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think it only means letters; it can also mean actions like Enter, Backspace, or Escape.
Synonyms
keypress (Common in documentation; emphasizes the produced input.)
Antonyms
voice command (A command given by speaking rather than pressing keys.)
Collocations
the Enter keystroke
|the backspace keystroke
|a control keystroke
|an escape keystroke
|a keystroke command
|a keystroke sequence
|a keystroke produces [text]
|map a keystroke to an action
|ignore a keystroke
|handle a keystroke
Themes
computing
|writing
Examples
- The Enter keystroke submits the form.
- That keystroke produced an unexpected symbol on my keyboard.
- The software ignores the keystroke if the field is disabled.
Learner examples
- The Enter keystroke starts a new line.
Noun
C1
quantity
3
amount of typing counted in presses
Keystrokes can mean the number of keys you need to press.
Usage pattern:
save [number] keystrokes; reduce keystrokes; count keystrokes
Common mistake:
This meaning is usually plural; "save keystroke" sounds unnatural compared with "save keystrokes."
Synonyms
key presses (Plain phrase focusing on the count.)
|
typing (Broader; includes the act, not just the count.)
Antonyms
automation (Doing a task without manual key presses.)
Collocations
save keystrokes
|reduce keystrokes
|minimize keystrokes
|extra keystrokes
|unnecessary keystrokes
|a lot of keystrokes
|fewer keystrokes
|count keystrokes
|keystrokes per minute
|keystrokes per task
Themes
computing
|productivity
|business
Examples
- This shortcut saves several keystrokes.
- The form takes too many keystrokes to complete.
- We compared tools by counting keystrokes per task.
Learner examples
- This button saves keystrokes.
Noun
technical
C1
abstract
4
typing rhythm used to identify someone
Keystroke dynamics is using how someone types as a kind of ID.
Usage pattern:
analyze keystroke dynamics; authenticate using keystroke dynamics
Common mistake:
Often mistaken for "keylogging"; this is about identifying users, not stealing what they type.
Synonyms
typing biometrics (A broader label for identifying people by how they type.)
Antonyms
password-only authentication (Verification based on what you know, not how you type.)
Collocations
keystroke dynamics
|keystroke pattern
|keystroke timing
|typing cadence
|behavioral biometrics
|continuous authentication
|verify identity
|detect impostors
|analyze typing patterns
|login behavior
Themes
computing
|security
|biometrics
Examples
- The system uses keystroke timing to help verify users during login.
- Researchers studied keystroke patterns to detect impostors.
- Changes in keystroke rhythm can reduce the accuracy of this method.
Grammar
Dictionary form
keystroke
IPA
GB/kˈistɹˌoʊk/
US/kˈistɹˌoʊk/
Syllables & stress
key - stroke (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (key)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: keystroke
- Plural: keystrokes
Word family
Expressions
at a keystroke
1/ˈæt ə kˈistɹˌoʊk/
fixed phrase
instantly by pressing a key
It happens instantly when you press a key.
Examples
- Millions of pages of information are now available at a keystroke.
- The settings can be changed at a keystroke.
- He can pull up the customer record at a keystroke.
keystroke dynamics
1/kˈistɹˌoʊk daɪnˈæmɪks/
fixed phrase
technical
identifying users by typing pattern
Keystroke dynamics uses your typing style to check who you are.
Examples
- Some banks use keystroke dynamics as an extra security check.
- Keystroke dynamics can fail if a user is injured or stressed.
- The app collects anonymized data for keystroke dynamics research.
keystroke logger
1/kˈistɹˌoʊk lˈɑɡɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
software that secretly records typing
A keystroke logger secretly records what you type.
Examples
- The antivirus program detected a keystroke logger on his laptop.
- A keystroke logger can capture passwords as you type them.
- They warned employees about emails that install keystroke loggers.
keystroke logging
1/kˈistɹˌoʊk lˈɔɡɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
recording what someone types
Keystroke logging means recording what a person types.
Examples
- The attacker used keystroke logging to steal login details.
- Secure browsers try to protect users against keystroke logging.
- The audit found evidence of keystroke logging on several machines.
with a few keystrokes
1/wˈɪθ ə fjˈu kˈistɹˌoʊks/
fixed phrase
quickly and easily on a computer
You can do it quickly by pressing only a few keys.
Examples
- With a few keystrokes, you can search the entire archive.
- She updated the table with a few keystrokes instead of retyping it.
- The report can be generated with a few keystrokes.