词汇

key

释义

key

noun

OPAL S

/kiː/

Idioms

tool for lock开锁工具

enlarge image

a piece of metal with a special shape used for locking a door, starting a car, etc.钥匙

to put/turn the key in the lock把钥匙放进锁里/转动钥匙
He inserted the key in the lock and let himself into the house.他把钥匙插进锁里，让自己进屋。
the car keys汽车钥匙
a set/bunch of keys一套/一串钥匙
key to something the spare key to the front door前门备用钥匙
We'll have a duplicate key cut (= made).我们会配一把钥匙。
key for something Luckily Dad has keys for my house.幸运的是，爸爸有我家的钥匙。
key for doing something There's a special key for winding up this clock.有一把特殊的钥匙可以给这个钟上弦。

Homophones key | quaykey quay

/kiː/

key noun
- She quietly turned the key in the lock.她悄悄地转动锁里的钥匙。
key adjective
- Fresh eggs are a key ingredient for a tasty cake.新鲜鸡蛋是美味蛋糕的关键成分。
key verb
- Customers have to key their PIN for amounts over £30.金额超过30英镑的客户必须输入个人识别码。
quay noun
- The constant coming and going of ferries makes the quay a bustling place.渡船的不断来往使码头成为一个繁忙的地方。

see also Allen key™, key card, master key, pass key

He fished a ring of keys out of his pocket.他从口袋里摸出了一串钥匙。
I'd accidentally locked the keys in my car.我意外地把钥匙锁在了车里。
She hides a front door key in a flowerpot.她在花盆里藏了一把前门钥匙。
You need a key to open the garage.打开车库要用钥匙。
The sound of keys jangling caught her attention.钥匙叮当作响的声音引起了她的注意。
They heard a key turn in the back door lock.他们听到后门的锁有钥匙转动的声音。

Collocations Dictionaryadjective

master
skeleton
duplicate
…

… of keys

bunch
ring
set
…

verb + key

turn
insert
put in
…

key + verb

open
unlock
lock
…

preposition

with a/the key
key for
key to
…

phrases

get a key cut

most important thing最重要的事

[usually singular] a thing that makes you able to understand or achieve something关键；要诀 synonym secret

Persistence is the key if you want to get a job.想找工作，坚持是关键。
key to something The key to success is preparation.成功的关键是准备。
First-time voters could hold the key to the election result.第一次投票的人可能会对选举结果起关键作用。
key to doing something The driver of the car probably holds the key to solving the crime.这位汽车司机很可能掌握侦破这一罪案的关键证据。
Language is the key to understanding those around you.语言是理解周围人的关键。
(especially North American English) 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？

Collocations Dictionaryverb + key

have
hold

preposition

key to

on computer计算机

any of the buttons that you press to operate a computer, phone or typewriter（计算机或打字机的）键

Press the return key to enter the information.按回车键录入信息。
You can use the arrow keys on the keyboard instead.你可以用键盘上的箭头键来代替。
He began tapping on the keys of his laptop.他开始敲笔记本电脑的键。

see also Alt key, hot key, soft key, tab key

F1 is the short-cut key for calling up help.F1 是查看帮助信息的快捷键。
Hold down the Alt key while pressing the arrow keys.按箭头键的同时按住替换键。
the top row of keys最上面的那排键

Topics Computersb1

Collocations Dictionaryadjective

Alt
arrow
backspace
…

… of keys

verb + key

hit
hold down
press
…

on musical instrument乐器

enlarge image

any of the wooden or metal parts that you press to play a piano and some other musical instruments（钢琴或其他乐器的）键

His hands flew over the piano keys.他的手掠过钢琴键。

Collocations Dictionaryadjective

organ
piano
etc.
…

verb + key

caress
stroke
touch
…

music音乐

a set of related notes, based on a particular note. Pieces of music are usually written mainly using a particular key.调

a sonata in the key of E flat major一首降 E 大调奏鸣曲
This piece changes key many times.这支曲子变了多次调。

compare scale see also off-key

Can we try it in a lower key?我们能用低一点儿的调试试吗？
The key changes from C major to A minor.音调从 C 大调变为 A 小调。
What key is it in?这个用什么调？

Topics Musicc1

Collocations Dictionaryadjective

major
minor
high
…

verb + key

change

key + verb

change

key + noun

change
signature

preposition

in a/the key
key of

phrases

a change of key

answers答案

a set of answers to exercises or problems答案；题解

Check your answers in the key at the back of the book.用书后的解答核对答案。

on map地图

an explanation of the symbols used on a map or plan（地图或平面图的）符号说明，图例

You can find the symbols in the key at the bottom of the page.这些符号可以在页底的符号说明中找到。

Wordfinder

compass
globe
GPS
grid
key
latitude
map
navigate
reference
scale

key

adjective

OPAL WOPAL S

/kiː/

[usually before noun]

most important; essential最重要的；主要的；关键的 synonym critical, vital
- the key issue/factor/point关键问题／因素；要点
- a key element/component/part/feature关键要素/组件/零件/特征
- He was a key figure in the campaign.他是这场运动的关键人物。
- Both are key players in the peace process.两者都是和平进程中的关键角色。
- She played a key role in the dispute.她在争论中起着举足轻重的作用。
- ‘Caution’ is the key word in this situation.在此情形之下，caution 为关键词。
- His contribution could be key.他的贡献可能是最重要的。
- key to something Good communication is key to our success.良好的沟通是我们成功的关键。
- key to doing something Better training for our staff has been key to improving the service.对员工进行更好的培训是改善服务的关键。
Homophones key | quay
key quay
/kiː/

/kiː/
- key noun
  She quietly turned the key in the lock.她悄悄地转动锁里的钥匙。
- key adjective
  Fresh eggs are a key ingredient for a tasty cake.新鲜鸡蛋是美味蛋糕的关键成分。
- key verb
  Customers have to key their PIN for amounts over £30.金额超过30英镑的客户必须输入个人识别码。
- quay noun
  The constant coming and going of ferries makes the quay a bustling place.渡船的不断来往使码头成为一个繁忙的地方。
Synonyms main
main
- major
- key
- central
- principal
- chief
- prime
These words all describe somebody/something that is the largest or most important of its kind.
- main [only before noun] largest or most important:
  Be careful crossing the main road.过大马路时小心点。
  The main thing is to remain calm.最重要的是要保持冷静。
- major [usually before noun] very large or important:
  He played a major role in setting up the system.他在建立这个系统的过程中起了主要的作用。
  When major is used with the or my/your/his/her/our/their it means ‘the largest or most important’: Our major concern here is combating poverty. In this meaning it is only used to talk about ideas or worries that people have, not physical things, and it is also more formal than main: Be careful crossing the major road. • The major thing is to remain calm.
- key [usually before noun] most important; essential:
  He was a key figure in the campaign.他是这场运动的关键人物。
  Key is used most frequently in business and political contexts. It can be used to talk about ideas, or the part that somebody plays in a situation, but not physical things. It is slightly more informal than major, especially when used after a noun and linking verb: Speed is key at this point.
- central (rather formal) most important:指最重要的、首要的、主要的：
  The central issue is that of widespread racism.最重要的问题是种族主义到处泛滥。
  Central is used in a similar way to key, but is more formal. It is most frequently used in the phrase something is central to something else.
- principal [only before noun] (rather formal) most important:指最重要的、首要的、主要的：
  The principal reason for this omission is lack of time.跳过它的主要原因是时间不足。
  Principal is mostly used for statements of fact about which there can be no argument. To state an opinion, or to try to persuade somebody of the facts as you see them, it is more usual to use key or central: The key/central issue here is…
- chief [only before noun] (rather formal) most important:指最重要的、首要的、主要的：
  Unemployment was the chief cause of poverty.失业是贫穷的主要原因。
- prime [only before noun] (rather formal) most important; to be considered first:
  My prime concern is to protect my property.我最关心的是保护自己的财产。
Patterns
- a/the main/major/key/central/principal/chief/prime aim/concern
- a/the main/major/principal road/town/city
- the main/key thing is to…
- to be of major/key/central/prime importance
- The key issue here is taxation.这里的关键问题是税收。
- Attitude is a key concept in social psychology.态度是社会心理学中非常重要的概念。
- Our commitment to high quality standards is key to maintaining our reputation.我们对高质量标准的承诺是维护我们声誉的关键。
- Speed is key at this point.在这个时候速度是关键。
词源Old English cǣg, cǣge, of unknown origin.

key

verb

/kiː/

动词形式

present simple I / you / we / they key	/kiː/ /kiː/
he / she / it keys	/kiːz/ /kiːz/
past simple keyed	/kiːd/ /kiːd/
past participle keyed	/kiːd/ /kiːd/
-ing form keying	/ˈkiːɪŋ/ /ˈkiːɪŋ/

Phrasal Verbs

to put information into a computer using a keyboard用键盘输入；键入 synonym enter
- key something I was busy keying data.我正忙着输入数据。
- key something in Key in your password.用键盘输入密码。
- key something into something The information is then keyed into a computer.这些信息然后被输入电脑。
Homophones key | quay
key quay
/kiː/

/kiː/
- key noun
  She quietly turned the key in the lock.她悄悄地转动锁里的钥匙。
- key adjective
  Fresh eggs are a key ingredient for a tasty cake.新鲜鸡蛋是美味蛋糕的关键成分。
- key verb
  Customers have to key their PIN for amounts over £30.金额超过30英镑的客户必须输入个人识别码。
- quay noun
  The constant coming and going of ferries makes the quay a bustling place.渡船的不断来往使码头成为一个繁忙的地方。
Topics Computersb1
to deliberately damage a car by scratching it with a key用钥匙划坏（汽车）

词源Old English cǣg, cǣge, of unknown origin.

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