-
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 quaysee also Allen key™, key card, master key, pass key- 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。
Extra ExamplesHe 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。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- master
- skeleton
- duplicate
- …
- bunch
- ring
- set
- …
- turn
- insert
- put in
- …
- open
- unlock
- lock
- …
- with a/the key
- key for
- key to
- …
- get a key cut
- [usually singular]
a thing that makes you able to understand or achieve something 关键；要诀 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？
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + key- have
- hold
- key to
-
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。
Extra ExamplesTopics Computersb1F1 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
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- Alt
- arrow
- backspace
- …
- row
- hit
- hold down
- press
- …
-
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。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- organ
- piano
- etc.
- …
- caress
- stroke
- touch
- …
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。
Extra ExamplesTopics Musicc1Can 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？
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- major
- minor
- high
- …
- change
- change
- change
- signature
- in a/the key
- key of
- a change of key
a set of answers to exercises or problems 答案；题解 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。
see also low-key
tool for lock开锁工具
most important thing最重要的事
on computer计算机
on musical instrument乐器
music音乐
answers答案
on map地图
Word OriginOld English cǣg, cǣge, of unknown origin.
Idioms
(keep something/put something/be) under lock and key