-
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 把钥匙放进去 He inserted the key in the lock and let himself into the house. 他把钥匙插入锁中,然后让自己进入屋子。 the car keys 汽车钥匙 a set/bunch of keys 一组键 - 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. 有一个特殊的钥匙可以结束这个时钟。
Homophones key | quaykey quaysee also Allen key™, key card, master key, pass key🔊/kiː/🔊/kiː/- key noun
She quietly turned the key in the lock. 她悄悄地转动了锁中的钥匙。
- 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. 客户必须输入超过30英镑的PIN码。
- quay noun
The constant coming and going of ferries makes the quay a bustling place. 轮渡的不断来回使码头成为一个热闹的地方。
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 synonym secret关键;要诀 Persistence is the key if you want to get a job. 持久性是您想要工作的关键。 - 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. 您可以改用键盘上的箭头键。 He began tapping on the keys of his laptop. 他开始敲击笔记本电脑的按键。
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. 他的手飞过钢琴键。
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


