Key
noun
A device used to unlock a lock.
I lost my door key.
Often appears as...
- find the key
- lose the key
adjective
Very important, crucial.
Proper nutrition is key to good health.
Often appears as...
- key factor
- key player
Usage tips
Approving
noun
An answer or solution for a problem.
I think I've found the key to your problem.
Often appears as...
- the key to success
- the key to happiness
Usage tips
Neutral
noun
In music, the group of pitches, or scale, that forms the basis of a music composition.
This song is in the key of C Major.
Often appears as...
- in the key of
- change the key
noun
In computing, a piece of information used in cryptography to decide the functional output of a cryptographic algorithm.
The cryptographic key will keep our data safe.
Often appears as...
- cryptographic key
- encryption key
noun
A device used to unlock a lock.
I lost my door key.
Often appears as...
- find the key
- lose the key
adjective
Very important, crucial.
Proper nutrition is key to good health.
Often appears as...
- key factor
- key player
Usage tips
Approving
noun
An answer or solution for a problem.
I think I've found the key to your problem.
Often appears as...
- the key to success
- the key to happiness
Usage tips
Neutral
noun
In music, the group of pitches, or scale, that forms the basis of a music composition.
This song is in the key of C Major.
Often appears as...
- in the key of
- change the key
noun
In computing, a piece of information used in cryptography to decide the functional output of a cryptographic algorithm.
The cryptographic key will keep our data safe.
Often appears as...
- cryptographic key
- encryption key
Definition 1 of 5
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Object
Remember 'key' often refers to an actual, tangible object for locks.
She placed the key on the table.
Pro Tip 2/2Security Association
'Key' emphasizes security and access when related to locked places or items.
Make sure the key is with you at all times.
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Object
Remember 'key' often refers to an actual, tangible object for locks.
She placed the key on the table.
Pro Tip 2/2Security Association
'Key' emphasizes security and access when related to locked places or items.
Make sure the key is with you at all times.
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Object
Remember 'key' often refers to an actual, tangible object for locks.
She placed the key on the table.
Pro Tip 2/2Security Association
'Key' emphasizes security and access when related to locked places or items.
Make sure the key is with you at all times.
Never forget "Key"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Joe Exotic and the Tiger...
by offering cow petting experiences to tourists. JOHN They raise tiger cubs, so that people can pay money and take selfies, so they have to have this constant supply of these little tiny tiger cubs between one and four months. So there's just this huge breeding operation, but the key thing here is that after the cubs are about
Video examples
How does caffeine keep...
But when they consume it in lower doses, as it's found in nectar, it can actually help them remember and revisit flowers. In the human body, caffeine acts as a stimulant for the central nervous system. It keeps us awake by blocking one of the body's key sleep-inducing molecules,
Video examples
Can you solve the...
According to the professor's calculations, they should be able to pull it off by a hair. The key is to maximize the support each assistant provides, not wasting a single kiloliter of fuel. It also helps us to think symmetrically so they can make shorter trips in either direction
Video examples
Why should you read...
With its fluid language and approach to identity, "Orlando" is considered a key text in gender studies. The mind can only fly so far from the body before it returns to the constraints of life. Like many of her characters, Woolf's life ended in tragedy
Video examples
Srdja Popovic: How to...
which was the key power. This is one more reason to look at this phenomenon, this is one more reason to look at Generation Y. Enough for me to give them credit, and hope that they will find their skills and their courage to use nonviolent struggle
Video examples
How to deal with...
running away from home and when my mother saw the story she said it wasn't true and demanded I change it and I didn't change it I actually yelled out I am not changing my story I'm not this defiance was key because I was trusting
Video examples
What makes a hero? -...
but the quest passes through an unfamiliar, special world. Along the way, there are some key events. Think about your favorite book or movie. Does it follow this pattern? Status quo, that's where we start.
Video examples
The science of skin...
The key to survival lay in their own personal sunscreen manufactured beneath the melanin. The type and amount of melanin in your skin determines whether you'll be more or less protected from the sun.
Video examples
Kangaroo Boxing Fight PIPE...
For a male, there's only really one key lesson to learn in his life. To get to the top, he must become a fighter.
Video examples
ONE HOUR of Amazing...
for a male there's only really one key lesson to learn in his life to get to the top
Video examples
Joe Exotic and the Tiger...
by offering cow petting experiences to tourists. JOHN They raise tiger cubs, so that people can pay money and take selfies, so they have to have this constant supply of these little tiny tiger cubs between one and four months. So there's just this huge breeding operation, but the key thing here is that after the cubs are about
Video examples
How does caffeine keep...
But when they consume it in lower doses, as it's found in nectar, it can actually help them remember and revisit flowers. In the human body, caffeine acts as a stimulant for the central nervous system. It keeps us awake by blocking one of the body's key sleep-inducing molecules,
Video examples
Can you solve the...
According to the professor's calculations, they should be able to pull it off by a hair. The key is to maximize the support each assistant provides, not wasting a single kiloliter of fuel. It also helps us to think symmetrically so they can make shorter trips in either direction
Video examples
Why should you read...
With its fluid language and approach to identity, "Orlando" is considered a key text in gender studies. The mind can only fly so far from the body before it returns to the constraints of life. Like many of her characters, Woolf's life ended in tragedy
Video examples
Srdja Popovic: How to...
which was the key power. This is one more reason to look at this phenomenon, this is one more reason to look at Generation Y. Enough for me to give them credit, and hope that they will find their skills and their courage to use nonviolent struggle
Video examples
How to deal with...
running away from home and when my mother saw the story she said it wasn't true and demanded I change it and I didn't change it I actually yelled out I am not changing my story I'm not this defiance was key because I was trusting
Video examples
What makes a hero? -...
but the quest passes through an unfamiliar, special world. Along the way, there are some key events. Think about your favorite book or movie. Does it follow this pattern? Status quo, that's where we start.
Video examples
The science of skin...
The key to survival lay in their own personal sunscreen manufactured beneath the melanin. The type and amount of melanin in your skin determines whether you'll be more or less protected from the sun.
Video examples
Kangaroo Boxing Fight PIPE...
For a male, there's only really one key lesson to learn in his life. To get to the top, he must become a fighter.
Video examples
ONE HOUR of Amazing...
for a male there's only really one key lesson to learn in his life to get to the top
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Bette Davis
American Actress
The key to life is accepting challenges. Once someone stops doing this, he's dead.
Quote examples
Jeff Bezos
American Businessman
The key thing about a book is that you lose yourself in the author's world.
Quote examples
Tyler Perry
American Actor
The key to life when it gets tough is to keep moving. Just keep moving.
Quote examples
Michelle Visage
American Musician
Live life and enjoy it. That's the real key to beauty!
Quote examples
Christian McCaffrey
American Athlete
Earned success is the key to a positive, happy life.
Quote examples
Russell Simmons
American Businessman
Service is the key to everything in life.
Quote examples
Katie Hopkins
English Entertainer
Teaching kids to respect rules is key.
Quote examples
William Godwin
English Writer
The true key of the universe is love.
Quote examples
YBN Nahmir
American Rapper
I'm trying to spread peace, low key.
Quote examples
Angela Yee
American Celebrity
I like having a low key life.
Quote examples
Bette Davis
American Actress
The key to life is accepting challenges. Once someone stops doing this, he's dead.
Quote examples
Jeff Bezos
American Businessman
The key thing about a book is that you lose yourself in the author's world.
Quote examples
Tyler Perry
American Actor
The key to life when it gets tough is to keep moving. Just keep moving.
Quote examples
Michelle Visage
American Musician
Live life and enjoy it. That's the real key to beauty!
Quote examples
Christian McCaffrey
American Athlete
Earned success is the key to a positive, happy life.
Quote examples
Russell Simmons
American Businessman
Service is the key to everything in life.
Quote examples
Katie Hopkins
English Entertainer
Teaching kids to respect rules is key.
Quote examples
William Godwin
English Writer
The true key of the universe is love.
Quote examples
YBN Nahmir
American Rapper
I'm trying to spread peace, low key.
Quote examples
Angela Yee
American Celebrity
I like having a low key life.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension