What does “key” mean?
- 1
nouna small metal object used to open a lock
I can’t find my car keys.
- 2
nounthe thing that helps you achieve or understand something
Practice is the key to success.
- 3
adjectivevery important or most important
She played a key role in the project.
Key at a glance
- Part of speech
- noun & adjective
- CEFR level
- A1 (beginner)
- Pronunciation
- /ki/ · KEE
How to use “key” correctly
Say “the key to success”, not “the key of success”.
Common phrases with “key”
- the key to sth
- key role
- key factor
- house key
“key” is on these word lists
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