key
/ki/ verb C2- To fit (a lock) with a key.
- To fit (pieces of a mechanical assembly) with a key to maintain the orientation between them.
- To mark or indicate with a symbol indicating membership in a class.
- To depress (a telegraph key).
- To operate (the transmitter switch of a two-way radio).
- (more usually to key in) To enter (information) by typing on a keyboard or keypad. · Our instructor told us to key in our user IDs.
- To vandalize (a car, etc.) by scratching with an implement such as a key. · He keyed the car that had taken his parking spot.
- To link (as one might do with a key or legend).
He/she/it keys · Past keyed · Past participle keyed · -ing form keying
Verb forms
- Base form
- key
- He/she/it
- keys
- Past
- keyed
- Past participle
- keyed
- -ing form
- keying
Phrasal verbs and expressions
- key down To lower in pitch, level, or intensity; to tone down.
- key in To enter data by keyboarding.
- key into To put (someone) into (a particular state, emotion etc.).
- key off To take something as a controlling input datum.
- key on To anticipate a play by watching and analyzing the moveme...
- key out To remove (something) or make (something) transparent in ...
- key up To raise (the whole ring of an arch) off its centering, b...
From the library
He is one of two who have a key of the safe.
I may add that the papers were undoubtedly in the office during working hours on Monday, and that Sir James left for London about three o’clock taking his key with him.
“Who was the other man with a key?”
According to his own account, corroborated only by the word of his wife, he was at home the whole of Monday evening after office hours, and his key has never left the watch-chain upon which it hangs.”
Other matches
- key An object designed to open and close a lock or ... A1
- key Indispensable, supremely important. A1
- key A kilogram, especially of a recreational drug. C2
- key One of a string of small islands. C2
- key A key position player C2
- key down To lower in pitch, level, or intensity
- key in To enter data by keyboarding.
- key into To put
Learn key in real texts
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