English

Detailed Synonyms for key in English

key:

key [the ~] noun

  1. the key
    the wedge; the peg; the quoin; the cleat; the clothes pin; the key; the clothes-peg
  2. the key
    the tonality; the key; the mode
  3. the key
    – metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated 1
    the key
    – metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated 1
    • key [the ~] noun
  4. the key
    – a lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed 1
    the key
    – a lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed 1
    • key [the ~] noun
  5. the key
    – the central building block at the top of an arch or vault 1
    the key; the keystone; the headstone
    – the central building block at the top of an arch or vault 1
  6. the key
    – mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock) 1
    the key; the winder
    – mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock) 1
  7. the key
    – pitch of the voice 1
    the key
    – pitch of the voice 1
    • key [the ~] noun
      • he spoke in a low key1
  8. the key
    – something crucial for explaining 1
    the key
    – something crucial for explaining 1
    • key [the ~] noun
      • the key to development is economic integration1
  9. the key
    – a generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access 1
    the key
    – a generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access 1
    • key [the ~] noun
      • a safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it1
  10. the key
    – a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations 1
    the key
    – a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations 1
    • key [the ~] noun
  11. the key
    – a list of answers to a test 1
    the key
    – a list of answers to a test 1
    • key [the ~] noun
      • some students had stolen the key to the final exam1
  12. the key
    – any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music 1
    the key; the tonality
    – any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music 1
  13. the key
    – (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 1
    the key; the paint
    – (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 1
    • key [the ~] noun
      • he hit a jump shot from the top of the key1
    • paint [the ~] noun
      • he dominates play in the paint1
  14. the key
    – a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida 1
    the key; the cay; the Florida key
    – a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida 1
  15. the key
    – a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple 1
    the key; the samara; the key fruit
    – a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple 1
  16. the key
    – a kilogram of a narcotic drug 1
    the key
    – a kilogram of a narcotic drug 1
    • key [the ~] noun
      • they were carrying two keys of heroin1
  17. the key
    – In database management, an identifier for a record or group of records in a datafile. 2
    the key
    – In database management, an identifier for a record or group of records in a datafile. 2
    • key [the ~] noun
  18. the key
    – In encryption, authentication, and digital signatures, a value used in combination with an algorithm to encrypt or decrypt information. 2
    the key
    – In encryption, authentication, and digital signatures, a value used in combination with an algorithm to encrypt or decrypt information. 2
    • key [the ~] noun
  19. the key
    – On a keyboard, the combination of a plastic keycap, a tension mechanism that suspends the keycap but allows it to be pressed down, and an electronic mechanism that records the key press and key release. 2
    the key
    – On a keyboard, the combination of a plastic keycap, a tension mechanism that suspends the keycap but allows it to be pressed down, and an electronic mechanism that records the key press and key release. 2
    • key [the ~] noun
  20. the key
    – A piece of data that is required to unlock a packaged Windows Media file. This key is included in a separate license. 2
    the key
    – A piece of data that is required to unlock a packaged Windows Media file. This key is included in a separate license. 2
    • key [the ~] noun
  21. the key
    – In Registry Editor, a folder that appears in the left pane of the Registry Editor window. A key can contain subkeys and entries. For example, Environment is a key of <b>HKEY_CURRENT_USER</b>. 2
    the key
    – In Registry Editor, a folder that appears in the left pane of the Registry Editor window. A key can contain subkeys and entries. For example, Environment is a key of <b>HKEY_CURRENT_USER</b>. 2
    • key [the ~] noun
  22. the key
    – In IP security (IPSec), a value used in combination with an algorithm to encrypt or decrypt data. Key settings for IPSec are configurable to provide greater security. 2
    the key
    – In IP security (IPSec), a value used in combination with an algorithm to encrypt or decrypt data. Key settings for IPSec are configurable to provide greater security. 2
    • key [the ~] noun
  23. the key
    – An alpha, numeric, or alphanumeric value which uniquely identifies elements that are created and referenced as resources, and which exist within a ResourceDictionary. 2
    the key
    – An alpha, numeric, or alphanumeric value which uniquely identifies elements that are created and referenced as resources, and which exist within a ResourceDictionary. 2
    • key [the ~] noun
  24. the key
    – A column or group of columns that uniquely identifies a row (primary key), defines the relationship between two tables (foreign key), or is used to build an index. 2
    the key
    – A column or group of columns that uniquely identifies a row (primary key), defines the relationship between two tables (foreign key), or is used to build an index. 2
    • key [the ~] noun
  25. the key
    – In an array, the field by which stored data is organized and accessed. 2
    the key
    – In an array, the field by which stored data is organized and accessed. 2
    • key [the ~] noun
  26. the key
    – The attribute of an entity type that specifies which property or set of properties is used to identify unique instances of the entity type. 2
    the key
    – The attribute of an entity type that specifies which property or set of properties is used to identify unique instances of the entity type. 2
    • key [the ~] noun

key

  1. key

key adj

  1. key
    – serving as an essential component 1
    key; fundamental; cardinal; central; primal
    – serving as an essential component 1
    • key adj
    • fundamental adj
      • an example that was fundamental to the argument1
      • computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure1
    • cardinal adj
      • a cardinal rule1
    • central adj
      • the central cause of the problem1
    • primal adj

to key verb (keys, keyed, keying)

  1. to key
    – harmonize with or adjust to 1
    to key
    – harmonize with or adjust to 1
    • key verb (keys, keyed, keying)
      • key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude1
  2. to key
    – regulate the musical pitch of 1
    to key
    – regulate the musical pitch of 1
    • key verb (keys, keyed, keying)
  3. to key
    – identify as in botany or biology, for example 1
    to distinguish; to key; to identify; to describe; to name; to discover; key out
    – identify as in botany or biology, for example 1
    • distinguish verb (distinguishes, distinguished, distinguishing)
    • key verb (keys, keyed, keying)
    • identify verb (identifies, indentified, identifying)
    • describe verb (describes, described, describing)
    • name verb (names, named, naming)
    • discover verb (discovers, discovered, discovering)
    • key out verb
  4. to key
    – vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key 1
    to key
    – vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key 1
    • key verb (keys, keyed, keying)
      • His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot1
  5. to key
    – provide with a key 1
    to key
    – provide with a key 1
    • key verb (keys, keyed, keying)
      • We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building1

Conjugations for key:

present
  1. key
  2. key
  3. keys
  4. key
  5. key
  6. key
simple past
  1. keyed
  2. keyed
  3. keyed
  4. keyed
  5. keyed
  6. keyed
present perfect
  1. have keyed
  2. have keyed
  3. has keyed
  4. have keyed
  5. have keyed
  6. have keyed
past continuous
  1. was keying
  2. were keying
  3. was keying
  4. were keying
  5. were keying
  6. were keying
future
  1. shall key
  2. will key
  3. will key
  4. shall key
  5. will key
  6. will key
continuous present
  1. am keying
  2. are keying
  3. is keying
  4. are keying
  5. are keying
  6. are keying
subjunctive
  1. be keyed
  2. be keyed
  3. be keyed
  4. be keyed
  5. be keyed
  6. be keyed
diverse
  1. key!
  2. let's key!
  3. keyed
  4. keying
1. I, 2. you, 3. he/she/it, 4. we, 5. you, 6. they

Related Words for "key":


Alternate Synonyms for "key":


Antonyms for "key":


Related Definitions for "key":

  1. serving as an essential component1
  2. metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated1
  3. a lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed1
  4. the central building block at the top of an arch or vault1
  5. mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock)1
  6. pitch of the voice1
    • he spoke in a low key1
  7. something crucial for explaining1
    • the key to development is economic integration1
  8. a generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access1
    • a safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it1
  9. a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations1
  10. a list of answers to a test1
    • some students had stolen the key to the final exam1
  11. any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music1
  12. (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 court1
    • he hit a jump shot from the top of the key1
  13. a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida1
  14. a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple1
  15. a kilogram of a narcotic drug1
    • they were carrying two keys of heroin1
  16. harmonize with or adjust to1
    • key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude1
  17. regulate the musical pitch of1
  18. identify as in botany or biology, for example1
  19. vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key1
    • His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot1
  20. provide with a key1
    • We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building1
  21. In database management, an identifier for a record or group of records in a datafile.2
  22. In encryption, authentication, and digital signatures, a value used in combination with an algorithm to encrypt or decrypt information.2
  23. On a keyboard, the combination of a plastic keycap, a tension mechanism that suspends the keycap but allows it to be pressed down, and an electronic mechanism that records the key press and key release.2
  24. A piece of data that is required to unlock a packaged Windows Media file. This key is included in a separate license.2
  25. In Registry Editor, a folder that appears in the left pane of the Registry Editor window. A key can contain subkeys and entries. For example, Environment is a key of <b>HKEY_CURRENT_USER</b>.2
  26. In IP security (IPSec), a value used in combination with an algorithm to encrypt or decrypt data. Key settings for IPSec are configurable to provide greater security.2
  27. An alpha, numeric, or alphanumeric value which uniquely identifies elements that are created and referenced as resources, and which exist within a ResourceDictionary.2
  28. A column or group of columns that uniquely identifies a row (primary key), defines the relationship between two tables (foreign key), or is used to build an index.2
  29. In an array, the field by which stored data is organized and accessed.2
  30. The attribute of an entity type that specifies which property or set of properties is used to identify unique instances of the entity type.2

Related Synonyms for key