key
gb/kˈi/ us/kˈi/
A1
Anglais
~ 1500
Sens
0 sens
Nom
A1
entity
1
Device for opening or locking
A small object used to open or lock something like a door or car.
Schéma d’usage :
a key to [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'key' (the object) with 'key' meaning 'important'. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
Synonymes
passkey (A master key that can open multiple locks)
Antonymes
lock (The mechanism that prevents opening without a key)
Collocations
house key
|car key
|door key
|spare key
|key ring
Thèmes
daily life
|home
|security
|daily_life
|housing
|transportation
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Nom
A2
entity
2
Important factor for success
The most important thing needed to do or get something.
Schéma d’usage :
the key to [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may forget to use 'the' before 'key' in this sense, e.g., saying 'Key to success' instead of 'The key to success'.
Synonymes
crucial element (Stresses its vital importance)
Antonymes
minor detail (Something not important to the outcome)
Collocations
key factor
|key role
|key point
|key to success
|key element
Thèmes
success
|business
|problem-solving
|core_vocabulary
|education
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Nom
technical
B1
entity
3
Musical scale base note
In music, the main group of notes used in a song, starting from one note.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse this with 'keyboard keys'. Clarify it's about pitch and scale in music.
Synonymes
tonality (More formal term used in music theory)
Antonymes
atonality (Music without a fixed key)
Collocations
in the key of C
|major key
|minor key
Thèmes
music
|arts_entertainment
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Nom
A2
entity
4
Button on keyboard or instrument
A button you press on a computer or piano to make letters, numbers, or sounds.
Synonymes
button (General term; less specific than 'key' for devices)
Collocations
press a key
|function keys
|piano keys
Thèmes
technology
|music
|arts_entertainment
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Press this key to start.
- The piano has many keys.
- I like to press the keys on my laptop.
- This key makes a sound.
Nom
B1
entity
5
Explanatory list for symbols on map/chart
A list that tells what symbols or colors mean on a map or chart.
Synonymes
legend ('Legend' is often used interchangeably in cartography)
Collocations
map key
|chart key
Thèmes
geography
|education
|travel
|communication
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
key
API
GB/kˈi/
US/kˈi/
Syllabes et accentuation
key (1 syllabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (key)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: key
- Plural: keys
Famille de mots
Expressions
key in
1/kˈi ˈɪn/
phrasal verb
Enter data using keyboard keys
To put information into a computer by pressing its keys.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.