单词

key

释义

key

noun

OPAL S

/kiː/

Idioms

jump to other results

tool for lock

enlarge image

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 quay

/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 £30.
quay noun
- The constant coming and going of ferries makes the quay a bustling place.

see also Allen key™, key card, master key, pass key

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
…

… of keys

bunch
ring
set
…

verb + key

turn
insert
put in
…

key + verb

open
unlock
lock
…

preposition

with a/the key
key for
key to
…

phrases

get a key cut

See full entry

most important thing

[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

preposition

key to

See full entry

on computer

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.

see also Alt key, hot key, soft key, tab key

Extra Examples

F1 is the short-cut key for calling up help.
Hold down the Alt key while pressing the arrow keys.
the top row of keys

Topics Computersb1

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

Alt
arrow
backspace
…

… of keys

verb + key

hit
hold down
press
…

See full entry

on musical instrument

enlarge image

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.
…

verb + key

caress
stroke
touch
…

See full entry

music

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.

compare scale see also off-key

Extra Examples

Can we try it in a lower key?
The key changes from C major to A minor.
What key is it in?

Topics Musicc1

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

major
minor
high
…

verb + key

change

key + verb

change

key + noun

change
signature

preposition

in a/the key
key of

phrases

a change of key

See full entry

answers

a set of answers to exercises or problems

Check your answers in the key at the back of the book.

on map

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.

Wordfinder

compass
globe
GPS
grid
key
latitude
map
navigate
reference
scale

key

adjective

OPAL WOPAL S

/kiː/

[usually before noun]

jump to other results

most important; essential synonym critical, vital
- the key issue/factor/point
- a key element/component/part/feature
- He was a key figure in the campaign.
- Both are key players in the peace process.
- She played a key role in the dispute.
- ‘Caution’ is the key word in this situation.
- His contribution could be key.
- key to something Good communication is key to our success.
- key to doing something Better training for our staff has been key to improving the service.
Homophones key | quay
key quay
/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 £30.
- quay noun
  The constant coming and going of ferries makes the quay a bustling place.
Synonyms main
main
- major
- key
- central
- principal
- chief
- prime
These words all describe somebody/something that is the largest or most important of its kind.
- main [only before noun] largest or most important:
  Be careful crossing the main road.
  The main thing is to remain calm.
- major [usually before noun] very large or important:
  He played a major role in setting up the system.
  When major is used with the or my/your/his/her/our/their it means ‘the largest or most important’: Our major concern here is combating poverty. In this meaning it is only used to talk about ideas or worries that people have, not physical things, and it is also more formal than main: Be careful crossing the major road. • The major thing is to remain calm.
- key [usually before noun] most important; essential:
  He was a key figure in the campaign.
  Key is used most frequently in business and political contexts. It can be used to talk about ideas, or the part that somebody plays in a situation, but not physical things. It is slightly more informal than major, especially when used after a noun and linking verb: Speed is key at this point.
- central (rather formal) most important:
  The central issue is that of widespread racism.
  Central is used in a similar way to key, but is more formal. It is most frequently used in the phrase something is central to something else.
- principal [only before noun] (rather formal) most important:
  The principal reason for this omission is lack of time.
  Principal is mostly used for statements of fact about which there can be no argument. To state an opinion, or to try to persuade somebody of the facts as you see them, it is more usual to use key or central: The key/central issue here is…
- chief [only before noun] (rather formal) most important:
  Unemployment was the chief cause of poverty.
- prime [only before noun] (rather formal) most important; to be considered first:
  My prime concern is to protect my property.
Patterns
- a/the main/major/key/central/principal/chief/prime aim/concern
- a/the main/major/principal road/town/city
- the main/key thing is to…
- to be of major/key/central/prime importance
Extra Examples
- The key issue here is taxation.
- Attitude is a key concept in social psychology.
- Our commitment to high quality standards is key to maintaining our reputation.
- Speed is key at this point.
Word OriginOld English cǣg, cǣge, of unknown origin.

key

verb

/kiː/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they key	/kiː/ /kiː/
he / she / it keys	/kiːz/ /kiːz/
past simple keyed	/kiːd/ /kiːd/
past participle keyed	/kiːd/ /kiːd/
-ing form keying	/ˈkiːɪŋ/ /ˈkiːɪŋ/

Phrasal Verbs

jump to other results

to put information into a computer using a keyboard synonym enter
- key something I was busy keying data.
- key something in Key in your password.
- key something into something The information is then keyed into a computer.
Homophones key | quay
key quay
/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 £30.
- quay noun
  The constant coming and going of ferries makes the quay a bustling place.
Topics Computersb1
to deliberately damage a car by scratching it with a key

Word OriginOld English cǣg, cǣge, of unknown origin.

随便看

英语词典包含84843条英英释义在线翻译词条，基本涵盖了全部常用单词的英英翻译及用法，是英语学习的有利工具。