key
Explore definitions, synonyms, and language insights of key
Definitions
                    Adjective Satellite
                    
                serving as an essential component; "a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem"; "an example that was fundamental to the argument"; "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure"
                
                    Noun
                    
                metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock''s mechanism can be rotated
                
                    Noun
                    
                something crucial for explaining; "the key to development is economic integration"
                
                    Noun
                    
                pitch of the voice; "he spoke in a low key"
                
                    Noun
                    
                any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music
                
                    Noun
                    
                a kilogram of a narcotic drug; "they were carrying two keys of heroin"
                
                    Noun
                    
                a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple
                
                    Noun
                    
                United States lawyer and poet who wrote a poem after witnessing the British attack on Baltimore during the War of 1812; the poem was later set to music and entitled `The Star-Spangled Banner'' (1779-1843)
                
                    Noun
                    
                a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida
                
                    Noun
                    
                (basketball) a space (including the foul line) in front of the basket at each end of a basketball court; usually painted a different color from the rest of the court; "he hit a jump shot from the top of the key"; "he dominates play in the paint"
                
                    Noun
                    
                a list of answers to a test; "some students had stolen the key to the final exam"
                
                    Noun
                    
                a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations
                
                    Noun
                    
                a generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access; "a safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it"
                
                    Noun
                    
                mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock)
                
                    Noun
                    
                the central building block at the top of an arch or vault
                
                    Noun
                    
                a lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed
                
                    Verb
                    
                identify as in botany or biology, for example
                
                    Verb
                    
                provide with a key; "We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building"
                
                    Verb
                    
                vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key; "His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot"
                
                    Verb
                    
                regulate the musical pitch of
                
                    Verb
                    
            harmonize with or adjust to; "key one''s actions to the voters'' prevailing attitude"
                Synonyms
                    cardinal
                    cay
                    central
                    describe
                    discover
                    distinguish
                    Florida key
                    Francis Scott Key
                    fundamental
                    headstone
                    identify
                    key fruit
                    key out
                    keystone
                    name
                    paint
                    primal
                    samara
                    tonality
                    winder
            
            More General Terms
                    achene
                    building block
                    chord
                    coral reef
                    device
                    explanation
                    furnish
                    harmonise
                    harmonize
                    kg
                    kilo
                    kilogram
                    lever
                    list
                    listing
                    mechanical device
                    musical notation
                    pitch
                    positive identification
                    provide
                    reconcile
                    render
                    space
                    supply
                    vandalise
                    vandalize
            
            More Specific Terms
                    backspace
                    backspace key
                    backspacer
                    coign
                    coigne
                    command key
                    control key
                    home key
                    ignition key
                    key word
                    latchkey
                    major key
                    major mode
                    master
                    master key
                    minor key
                    minor mode
                    passe-partout
                    passkey
                    quoin
                    return
                    return key
                    shift
                    shift key
                    space bar
                    tab
                    tab key
                    telegraph key
                    tonic key
                    watch key