Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun key

15 senses of key

Sense 1
key -- (metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated)
       => device -- (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device intended to conserve water")

Sense 2
key -- (something crucial for explaining; "the key to development is economic integration")
       => explanation -- (thought that makes something comprehensible)

Sense 3
key -- (pitch of the voice; "he spoke in a low key")
       => pitch -- (the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration)

Sense 4
key, tonality -- (any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music)
       => musical notation -- ((music) notation used by musicians)

Sense 5
key -- (a kilogram of a narcotic drug; "they were carrying two keys of heroin")
       => kilogram, kg, kilo -- (one thousand grams; the basic unit of mass adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites; "a kilogram is approximately 2.2 pounds")

Sense 6
samara, key fruit, key -- (a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple)
       => achene -- (small dry indehiscent fruit with the seed distinct from the fruit wall)

Sense 7
Key, Francis Scott Key -- (United States lawyer and poet who wrote a poem after witnessing the British attack on Baltimore during the War of 1812; the poem was later set to music and entitled `The Star-Spangled Banner' (1779-1843))
       INSTANCE OF=> lawyer, attorney -- (a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice)
       INSTANCE OF=> poet -- (a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry))

Sense 8
key, cay, Florida key -- (a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida)
       => coral reef -- (a reef consisting of coral consolidated into limestone)

Sense 9
key, paint -- ((basketball) a space (including the foul line) in front of the basket at each end of a basketball court; usually painted a different color from the rest of the court; "he hit a jump shot from the top of the key"; "he dominates play in the paint")
       => space -- (an area reserved for some particular purpose; "the laboratory's floor space")

Sense 10
key -- (a list of answers to a test; "some students had stolen the key to the final exam")
       => list, listing -- (a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics))

Sense 11
key -- (a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations)
       => list, listing -- (a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics))

Sense 12
key -- (a generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access; "a safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it")
       => positive identification -- (evidence proving that you are who you say you are; evidence establishing that you are among the group of people already known to the system; recognition by the system leads to acceptance; "a system for positive identification can prevent the use of a single identity by several people")

Sense 13
winder, key -- (mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock))
       => mechanical device -- (mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles)

Sense 14
keystone, key, headstone -- (the central building block at the top of an arch or vault)
       => building block -- (a block of material used in construction work)

Sense 15
key -- (a lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed)
       => lever -- (a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum)

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb key

5 senses of key

Sense 1
identify, discover, key, key out, distinguish, describe, name -- (identify as in botany or biology, for example)

Sense 2
key -- (provide with a key; "We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building")
       => supply, provide, render, furnish -- (give something useful or necessary to; "We provided the room with an electrical heater")

Sense 3
key -- (vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key; "His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot")
       => vandalize, vandalise -- (destroy wantonly, as through acts of vandalism; "vandalize the park")

Sense 4
key -- (regulate the musical pitch of)
       => harmonize, harmonise, chord -- (bring into consonance, harmony, or accord while making music or singing)

Sense 5
key -- (harmonize with or adjust to; "key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude")
       => harmonize, harmonise, reconcile -- (bring into consonance or accord; "harmonize one's goals with one's abilities")

Antonyms of adj key

1 sense of key

Sense 1
cardinal, central, fundamental, key, primal -- (serving as an essential component; "a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem"; "an example that was fundamental to the argument"; "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure")

INDIRECT (VIA important) -> unimportant -- (not important; "a relatively unimportant feature of the system"; "the question seems unimportant")

Similarity of adj key

1 sense of key

Sense 1
cardinal, central, fundamental, key, primal -- (serving as an essential component; "a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem"; "an example that was fundamental to the argument"; "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure")
       => important (vs. unimportant), of import -- (of great significance or value; "important people"; "the important questions of the day")