- a piece of metal with a special shape used for locking a door, starting a car, etc.
- to put/turn the key in the lock
- He inserted the key in the lock and let himself into the house.
- the car keys
- a set/bunch of keys
- key to something the spare key to the front door
- We'll have a duplicate key cut (= made).
- key for something Luckily Dad has keys for my house.
- key for doing something There's a special key for winding up this clock.
Homophones key | quaykey quaysee also Allen key™, key card, master key, pass key/kiː//kiː/- key noun
- She quietly turned the key in the lock.
- key adjective
- Fresh eggs are a key ingredient for a tasty cake.
- key verb
- Customers have to key their PIN for amounts over £100.
- quay noun
- The constant coming and going of ferries makes the quay a bustling place.
Extra Examples- He fished a ring of keys out of his pocket.
- I'd accidentally locked the keys in my car.
- She hides a front door key in a flowerpot.
- You need a key to open the garage.
- The sound of keys jangling caught her attention.
- They heard a key turn in the back door lock.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- master
- skeleton
- duplicate
- …
- bunch
- ring
- set
- …
- turn
- insert
- put in
- …
- open
- unlock
- lock
- …
- with a/the key
- key for
- key to
- …
- get a key cut
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- [usually singular] a thing that makes you able to understand or achieve something synonym secret
- Persistence is the key if you want to get a job.
- key to something The key to success is preparation.
- First-time voters could hold the key to the election result.
- key to doing something The driver of the car probably holds the key to solving the crime.
- Language is the key to understanding those around you.
- (especially North American English) The key is, how long can the federal government control the inflation rate?
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + key- have
- hold
- key to
- any of the buttons that you press to operate a computer, phone or typewriter
- Press the return key to enter the information.
- You can use the arrow keys on the keyboard instead.
- He began tapping on the keys of his laptop.
Extra ExamplesTopics Computersb1- F1 is the shortcut key for calling up help.
- Press the left arrow key.
- the top row of keys
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- Alt
- arrow
- backspace
- …
- row
- hit
- hold down
- press
- …
- any of the wooden or metal parts that you press to play a piano and some other musical instruments
- His hands flew over the piano keys.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- organ
- piano
- etc.
- …
- caress
- stroke
- touch
- …
- a set of related notes, based on a particular note. Pieces of music are usually written mainly using a particular key.
- a sonata in the key of E flat major
- This piece changes key many times.
Extra ExamplesTopics Musicc1- Can we try it in a lower key?
- The key changes from C major to A minor.
- What key is it in?
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- major
- minor
- high
- …
- change
- change
- change
- signature
- in a/the key
- key of
- a change of key
- a set of answers to exercises or problems
- Check your answers in the key at the back of the book.
- an explanation of the symbols used on a map or plan
- You can find the symbols in the key at the bottom of the page.
see also low-key
tool for lock
most important thing
on computer
on musical instrument
music
answers
on map
Word OriginOld English cǣg, cǣge, of unknown origin.
Idioms
See key in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee key in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English(keep something/put something/be) under lock and key
- locked up safely somewhere; in prison
- We keep our valuables under lock and key.
- I will not rest until the murderer is under lock and key.
- Prisoners are kept under lock and key 24 hours a day.
Check pronunciation:
key