key 1 S3 W2 / ki / 形容词 [无比较级] #

very important or necessary :

China’s support is key to the success of the coalition.

key factor/points/questions etc

The President makes all the key decisions on foreign policy.

key role/player/figure etc (= one with a lot of influence on a result )

The show has been hit by the departure of key personnel.

→ low-key

COLLOCATIONS

名词

a key factor (= a very important factor ) A key factor in starting any business is its location.

a key element/feature/component (= a very important part ) Advertising is a key element in the success of a product.

a key role Sanders played a key role in the team’s winning season.

a key area What are the key areas of economic policy?

a key issue/question/point The environment became a key issue during the election.

a key figure (= a key person ) She was a key figure in the election campaign.

a key player He won’t leave key players out of the team.

a key witness (= someone who can give important information about a crime ) She will be a key witness in the murder trial.

a key decision Women made most of the key decisions about how money was spent in the household.

a key word (= an important or useful word ) Once you know the key words, you can make your own sentence.

key 2 S2 W2 noun [可数名词] #

1 lock a small specially shaped piece of metal that you put into a lock and turn in order to lock or unlock a door, start a car etc house/car keys I lost my house keys. A bunch of keys hung from his belt. key to I can lend you a spare key to the store until you get one cut (= made ) . ► Do not say ‘the key of’ something. Say the key to something. → master key 2 important part the key the part of a plan, action etc that will make it possible for it to succeed the key to Working well as a team is the key to success . a discovery that may hold the key to our understanding of the universe 3 computer the buttons that you press on a computer keyboard to operate the computer :
Press the ‘Escape’ key to exit. hot key/shortcut key (= a special key on a computer, that does specific things ) 4 music a) [通常复数形式] the wooden or metal parts that you press on a piano and some wind instruments in order to play them :
piano keys b) a scale of notes that begins with one particular note, or the quality of sound this scale has :
a tune in the key of A minor 5 map/drawing a list of the signs, colours etc used on a map or technical drawing etc that explains what they mean 6 test the printed answers to a test or set of questions in a book 7 island [通常复数形式] a small flat island, especially one that is part of a group near the coast :
the Florida Keys

COLLOCATIONS

ADJECTIVES/NOUN + key
a spare key (= an extra key ) Never hide your spare key under the doormat. door key I’ll get a new door key cut for you. car keys She left her car keys on the hall table. house keys I’ve lost my house keys. the front/back door key She felt in her pocket for the front door key. the ignition key (= the key that starts a car or engine ) Sam turned the ignition key and drove slowly away.

phrases a bunch/set of keys (= a group of keys kept together ) He took out a huge bunch of keys and unlocked the door. the key to a door/house/cupboard (= the key that opens a door/house/cupboard ) Has anyone seen the key to the garage door?

verbs put a key in a lock/the door I put the key in the lock, but it wouldn’t turn. insert a key formal (= put it in a lock ) She inserted the key into the lock. turn a key He climbed into his car and turned the key. cut a key (= make one ) Could you get a key cut for me? jangle your keys (= move them so they make a ringing sound ) He walked off down the corridor, jangling his keys. a key unlocks/opens something The largest key unlocks the front door. a key turns We heard the key turn in the lock.

key 3 verb [及物动词] #

1 American English informal if you key a win for your team, you help it win a game because you play very well :
Abdul keyed the game with three touchdowns. 2 British English to prepare a surface so that a covering such as paint will stick to it

key something ↔ in phrasal verb to put information into a computer or other machine, using buttons or a keyboard :
Key in your password and press ‘Return’.

key something to something phrasal verb American English 1 to make or change a system so that it works well with something else :
The daycare hours are keyed to the needs of working parents. 2 if the level, price, or value of something is keyed to something else, it is related to it and they rise and fall at the same time :
Pensions are keyed to the rate of inflation. → keyed up