key

英 [kiː]

美 [kiː]

n.  钥匙; 关键; 要诀; (计算机或打字机的)键
v.  用键盘输入; 键入; 用钥匙划坏(汽车)
adj.  最重要的; 主要的; 关键的

复数：keys　过去分词：keyed　现在分词：keying　过去式：keyed　第三人称单数：keys　

中考高考IELTSCET4考研BEC计算机

Oxford 3000 / Collins.4 / BNC.1267 / COCA.1093

同义词辨析

keyanswersolution【导航词义：答案】

vitalcriticalkey【导航词义：重要的】

短语动词

短语用例

key sb/sth to sth

• 使某人（或某事）适合于某事
  to make sb/sth suitable or appropriate for a particular purpose

习惯用语

n.

(keep sth/put sth/be) under lock and key
• 把…安全地锁起来；在押；被囚禁
  locked up safely somewhere; in prison
• We keep our valuables under lock and key.
  我们把贵重物品锁起来收好了。
• I will not rest until the murderer is under lock and key.
  杀人凶手一天不关起来我一天不罢休。

牛津词典

noun

开锁工具 tool for lock
• 钥匙
  a specially shaped piece of metal used for locking a door, starting a car, etc.
  1. to insert/turn the key in the lock
     把钥匙插入锁孔；转动锁孔中的钥匙
  2. the car keys
     汽车钥匙
  3. a bunch of keys
     一串钥匙
  4. the spare key to the front door
     前门备用钥匙
  5. We'll have a duplicate key cut (= made) .
     我们会配一把钥匙。
最重要的事 most important thing
• 关键；要诀
  a thing that makes you able to understand or achieve sth
  1. The key to success is preparation.
     成功的关键是准备。
  2. The driver of the car probably holds the key to solving the crime.
     这位汽车司机很可能掌握破获这一罪案的关键证据。
  3. The key is , how long can the federal government control the inflation rate?
     关键在于联邦政府对通货膨胀率的控制能维持多久？
计算机 on computer
• （计算机或打字机的）键
  any of the buttons that you press to operate a computer or typewriter
  1. Press the return key to enter the information.
     按回车键录入信息。
乐器 on musical instrument
• （钢琴或其他乐器的）键
  any of the wooden or metal parts that you press to play a piano and some other musical instruments
音乐 music
• 调
  a set of related notes, based on a particular note. Pieces of music are usually written mainly using a particular key.
  1. a sonata in the key of E flat major
     一首降E大调奏鸣曲
答案 answers
• 答案；题解
  a set of answers to exercises or problems
  1. Check your answers in the key at the back of the book.
     用书后的解答核对答案。
地图 on map
• （地图或平面图的）符号说明，图例
  an explanation of the symbols used on a map or plan

verb

• 用键盘输入；键入
  to put information into a computer using a keyboard
  1. Key (in) your password.
     用键盘输入密码。
• 用钥匙划坏（汽车）
  to deliberately damage a car by scratching it with a key

adj.

• 最重要的；主要的；关键的
  most important; essential
  1. the key issue/factor/point
     关键问题 / 因素；要点
  2. He was a key figure in the campaign.
     他是这场运动的关键人物。
  3. She played a key role in the dispute.
     她在争论中起着举足轻重的作用。
  4. ‘Caution’ is the key word in this situation.
     在此情形之下，caution为关键词。
  5. Good communication is key to our success.
     良好的沟通是我们成功的关键。
  6. His contribution could be key.
     他的贡献可能是最重要的。

柯林斯词典

• N-COUNT 钥匙
  Akeyis a specially shaped piece of metal that you place in a lock and turn in order to open or lock a door, or to start or stop the engine of a vehicle.
  1. They put the key in the door and entered...
     他们用钥匙打开门进去了。
  2. She reached for her coat and car keys.
     她伸手拿外套和汽车钥匙。
• （计算机或打字机的）键
  Thekeyson a computer keyboard or typewriter are the buttons that you press in order to operate it.
• （钢琴或风琴的）键
  Thekeysof a piano or organ are the long narrow pieces of wood or plastic that you press in order to play it.
• N-VAR （音乐的）调
  In music, akeyis a scale of musical notes that starts on one specific note.
  1. ...the key of A minor.
     A小调
• N-COUNT （地图、图解或科技书籍的）略语表，符号表，凡例
  Thekeyon a map or diagram or in a technical book is a list of the symbols or abbreviations used and their meanings.
  1. You will find a key at the front of the book.
     你会在书的前面找到略语表。
• ADJ 最重要的；关键的
  Thekeyperson or thing in a group is the most important one.
  1. He is expected to be the key witness at the trial...
     他将成为审判的关键证人。
  2. Education is likely to be a key issue in the next election.
     在下届选举中教育可能成为最重要的一个议题。
• N-COUNT 关键；要诀
  Thekey toa desirable situation or result is the way in which it can be achieved.
  1. The key to success is to be ready from the start...
     成功的关键在于从一开始就要准备充分。
  2. Diet and relaxation are two important keys to good health.
     限制饮食和放松身心是保持健康的两个要诀。
• See also:master key

英英释义

noun

• metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
• a lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed
• the central building block at the top of an arch or vault
  Synonym:keystoneheadstone
• mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock)
  Synonym:winder
• pitch of the voice
  1. he spoke in a low key
• something crucial for explaining
  1. the key to development is economic integration
• a generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access
  1. a safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it
• a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations
• a list of answers to a test
  1. some students had stolen the key to the final exam
• any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music
  Synonym:tonality
• (basketball) a space (including the foul line) in front of the basket at each end of a basketball court
  1. he hit a jump shot from the top of the key
  2. he dominates play in the paint
  Synonym:paint
• a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida
  Synonym:cayFlorida key
• a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple
  Synonym:samarakey fruit
• a kilogram of a narcotic drug
  1. they were carrying two keys of heroin

verb

• harmonize with or adjust to
  1. key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude
• regulate the musical pitch of
• identify as in botany or biology, for example
  Synonym:identifydiscoverkey outdistinguishdescribename
• vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key
  1. His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot
• provide with a key
  1. We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building

adj

• serving as an essential component
  1. a cardinal rule
  2. the central cause of the problem
  3. an example that was fundamental to the argument
  4. computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure
  Synonym:cardinalcentralfundamentalprimal

双语例句

• What key events influenced the energy situation in 1979?
  是哪些关键性事件影响了1979年的能源状况？
• He could have taken a spare key
  他本该带上一把备用钥匙的。
• The files are now in a safe to which only he has the key.
  文件目前放在一个只有他才能打开的保险柜里。
• He will play a key background role in government policy-making.
  他将在政府的政策制定上起至关重要的幕后作用。
• Scientists provided the key to understanding the genetic code that determines every bodily feature.
  科学家们找到了破解决定各种身体特征的遗传密码的密钥。
• Nearly all of the young people interviewed believed that work was the key to success.
  几乎所有被采访的年轻人都认为工作是成功的关键。
• He is expected to be the key witness at the trial
  他将成为审判的关键证人。
• I selected a file and pressed the Delete key.
  我选定了一个文件，按下了删除键。
• She reached for her coat and car keys.
  她伸手拿外套和汽车钥匙。
• Oh, no! I've forgotten my key again.
  真该死！我又忘了带钥匙了。