key

Describes something that is very important, essential, or crucial.

ruОписывает что-то очень важное, существенное или решающее.esDescribe algo muy importante, esencial o decisivo; que es fundamental o central para algo, o que determina o resuelve algo.frQualifie quelque chose d'essentiel, de crucial ou de déterminant, ou qui joue un rôle central.deBezeichnet etwas, das von zentraler Bedeutung, entscheidend oder ausschlaggebend ist; auch etwas, das als Lösung oder Zugang dient.ptDescreve algo muito importante, essencial ou decisivo. Também pode indicar o elemento central ou fundamental de algo.zh指非常重要、关键或起决定作用的。arيصف شيئًا بالغ الأهمية أو الجوهرية أو الحاسمة.

1. Crucial or essential B1 formal

   Of paramount importance; critical to the success or understanding of something.

   • Communication is a key factor in any relationship.
   • The key ingredient in this recipe is fresh basil.
   • Finding a good mentor is key to career development.

   ruКлючевойesclave, esencialfrCrucial ou essentieldeentscheidendptCrucialzh关键的arجوهري

   Sinônimos: centralcriticalcrucialessentialfundamentalimportantindispensablenecessarypivotalvital

   Antônimos: inessentialminorperipheraltrivialunimportant

2. Main or primary B1 formal

   Being the most important or central element.

   • The key point of her argument was about equality.
   • He holds a key position in the company.
   • The key question remains unanswered.

   ruГлавныйesclavefrclédeHaupt- oder zentralptPrincipalzh主要的arالرئيسي

   Sinônimos: centralcorecrucialessentialfundamentalimportantmainprimaryprincipalvital

   Antônimos: minorperipheralsecondarysubordinateunimportant

• more key comparative form
• most key superlative form

A noun referring to a small piece of metal used for opening locks, or a device used for operating a mechanism such as a keyboard or piano.

ruСуществительное, обозначающее небольшой металлический предмет для открывания замков или устройство для управления механизмом, таким как клавиатура или пианино.esSustantivo que designa un pequeño objeto metálico para abrir cerraduras, o un dispositivo para accionar un mecanismo, como una tecla de teclado o piano.frNom désignant un petit objet en métal servant à ouvrir une serrure, ou un dispositif permettant d'actionner un mécanisme, comme une touche de clavier ou de piano.deSubstantiv, das einen kleinen metallischen Gegenstand zum Öffnen von Schlössern oder eine Vorrichtung zur Steuerung eines Mechanismus wie einer Tastatur oder eines Klaviers bezeichnet.ptSubstantivo que designa um pequeno objeto metálico usado para abrir fechaduras ou um dispositivo para acionar ou controlar um mecanismo, como em teclado, piano ou ferramenta.zh名词，指用于开锁的小型金属物件，也指操纵机械或乐器的装置，如键盘或钢琴的键。arاسم يدل على أداة معدنية صغيرة تُفتح بها الأقفال، أو على وسيلة للتحكم في آلية كآلة موسيقية أو لوحة مفاتيح. ويُطلق أيضًا على ما يُستخدم لفكّ وربط الصواميل أو لتفسير رموز وشيفرات أو لفتح ما هو مغلق.

1. Tool for locks A1 formal

   A small metal instrument used to open or close a lock.

   • I lost my house key and had to call a locksmith.
   • She turned the key in the ignition to start the car.
   • He keeps his spare key under the doormat.

   ruКлючesLlave (de cerradura)frclé (ou clef)deSchlüsselptChavezh钥匙arمفتاح

2. Keyboard button A1 formal

   One of the buttons on a keyboard or typewriter.

   • Press the Enter key to confirm your selection.
   • The space key is the longest key on the keyboard.
   • He accidentally hit the wrong key and deleted the file.

   ruКлавишаesTeclafrTouche de clavierdeTasteptTeclazh键arمفتاح

   Sinônimos: button

3. Crucial element B1 formal

   Something that is essential or critical for achieving a result.

   • Hard work is the key to success.
   • The key to solving this puzzle is patience.
   • Communication is a key factor in any relationship.

   ruКлючевой элементeselemento clavefrÉlément crucialdeSchlüsselelementptElemento-chavezh关键要素arالعنصر الأساسي

   Sinônimos: basiscorecornerstonecruxessentialfoundationheartlinchpinprerequisiterequirement

4. Musical key B1 formal

   A set of notes based on a particular note, forming the basis of a piece of music.

   • The song is written in the key of C major.
   • She played the piece in a different key.
   • The key signature indicates which notes are sharp or flat.

   ruТональностьesTonalidad musicalfrTonalitédeTonartptTonalidadezh调arمقام موسيقي

   Sinônimos: modescaletonality

5. Answer or solution A2 formal

   A guide or explanation that provides the correct answers.

   • The teacher provided the answer key for the test.
   • Check the key at the back of the book for solutions.
   • The key to the crossword puzzle is on the last page.

   ruОтвет или решениеesClave, soluciónfrSolution ou corrigédeLösung oder AntwortptResposta ou soluçãozh答案或解答arالجواب أو الحل

   Sinônimos: answerexplanationguidesolution

   Antônimos: enigmamysteryproblempuzzlequestion

• keys plural form
• keys' possessive plural form
• key's possessive singular form

A verb meaning to enter or input data using a keyboard, or to adjust or secure something with a key.

ruГлагол, означающий ввод данных с помощью клавиатуры или регулировку/фиксацию чего-либо ключом.esVerbo que significa introducir datos mediante un teclado o ajustar/fijar algo con una llave o clave.frVerbe signifiant saisir des données à l'aide d'un clavier, ou régler/fixer quelque chose à l'aide d'une clé.deVerb, das die Eingabe von Daten über eine Tastatur bezeichnet oder das justieren bzw. fixieren von etwas mit einem Schlüssel.ptVerbo que significa inserir dados por meio do teclado ou ajustar/fixar algo com uma chave.zh动词，指用键盘输入数据；也指用钥匙调节或固定某物。arفعل يدل على إدخال البيانات باستخدام لوحة المفاتيح، أو ضبط شيء ما أو تثبيته باستخدام مفتاح.

1. Enter data A2 formal

   To enter or type information into a device, such as a computer or keyboard.

   • She keyed the data into the spreadsheet.
   • He keyed in the password to access the system.
   • Please key your responses into the online form.

   ruВводить данныеesIntroducir datosfrSaisir des donnéesdeDaten eingebenptInserir dadoszh输入数据arإدخال البيانات

   Sinônimos: enterinputkeyboardtype

2. Adjust or align B2 formal

   To adjust or align something to fit a specific requirement or standard.

   • The design was keyed to the client's specifications.
   • The marketing strategy is keyed to the target audience.
   • The software is keyed to work with older operating systems.

   ruНастроитьesajustar o alinearfrAjuster, alignerdeAnpassenptAjustarzh调整arضبط وتعديل

   Sinônimos: adaptadjustaligncalibratefitsuittune

   Antônimos: derangedisarrangemisalign

• keyed past participle
• keyed past simple
• keying present participle
• keys third person singular

Variantes phrasal: key out