key1 nounkey2 adjectivekey3 verb
keykey1 /kiː/ ●●● S1 W2 noun [countable] 
WORD ORIGINkey2
Origin:
Old English cægEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a minor key
- Type in your PIN code, then press the ENTER key.
- Any set of search keys for a document can be described as a document profile.
- My plastic key wouldn't open my hotel room.
- Secondly, the computer keyboard has many additional keys which are used to alter the function of the alpha-numeric keys.
- Then she saw a little glass table with three legs, and on the top of it was a very small gold key.
- These socialist writings showed me the key to my environment.
Longman Language Activatorthe feature or part of something that everything else depends on
: the basis of something · The basis of his argument was that people who sell drugs should be jailed for life.· Sugar has always been the basis of the Cuban economy.the basis for something · Expert advice and support are the basis for the rehabilitation programme.form the basis of something · Roman law still forms the basis of our own legal system.
the foundation for something is the thing on which it is based - use this to talk about something important that continues a long time, for example a relationship, career, or system: foundation for: · Good eating habits and regular exercise are the foundation for a healthy life.· Teaching experience is a good foundation for a career in just about anything.lay the foundations for something: · Copernicus's findings laid the foundations for the later work of Galileo.
the thing that something else depends on in order to be successful - use this especially to talk about things that are very important in business and politics: the cornerstone of: · The treaty of 1946 has been the cornerstone of European harmony.· Increased sales to the under-25s will be the cornerstone of our marketing strategy in the coming year.
the most important thing that makes it possible to do or understand something: the key to: · Nixon saw the improvement of relations with China as the key to his foreign policy.· The theory of natural selection remains the key to our understanding of the natural world.
a way of achieving success, happiness etc · Her political career followed the usual route of local and then national government.route/path to · There's more than one route to a successful marriage.· the path to happiness and enlightenment
the most important means of making progress or achieving success: · In all types of advice work, listening is the key.the key to: · What's the key to getting a good night's sleep?· We feel that our policy of low-price products in plain packaging is the key to our success.
a way of becoming happy, healthy, successful etc that not everyone knows about or knows how to do: · I don't know what her secret is but she always gets top marks in exams.· Hollywood stars reveal their beauty secrets in next month's edition.the secret of somebody's/something's success: · Mr. Ritchie, you're a millionaire at the age of twenty. What's the secret of your success?
WORD SETSaccess, verbaccess point, nounaccess time, nounaccounting system, accumulator, nounadd-on, nounADSL, nounaffective computing, nounAI, nounALGOL, nounalias, nounANSI, anti-spam, adjectiveanti-virus, adjectiveanti-virus software, nounAPL, nounapp, nounApple, Apple Macintosh, applet, nounapplication, nounapplication software, nounarcade game, nounarchitecture, nounarchive, nounarchive, verbarray, nounartificial intelligence, nounASCII, nounASIC, nounASP, nounassembly language, nounasynchronous, adjectiveAT&T, attachment, nounaudit trail, nounautomate, verbautomated, adjectiveautomation, nounavatar, nounB2B exchange, nounB2C, adjectiveB2E, adjectiveBabbage, Charles, backslash, nounbackspace, nounbackup, nounback-up copy, bandwidth, nounbar code, nounBASIC, nounbatch, nounbatch processing, nounbaud rate, nounBerners-Lee, Tim, bespoke, adjectivebeta test, nounBig Blue, bioinformatics, nounbiometric, adjectivebit, nounbitmap, nounBlackBerry, nounbloatware, nounblog, nounBluetooth, nounBMP, nounbond certificate, book entry, bookmark, nounbookmark, verbbook of final entry, nounbook of first entry, nounBoolean, adjectiveboot, verbbootable, adjectivebootstrapping, nounbot, nounbotnet, nounbps, brain dump, nounbroadband, nounbrown goods, nounbrowse, verbbrowser, nounbubble jet printer, nounbuddy list, nounbuffer, nounbuffer, verbbug, nounbulletin board, nounbundle, nounbundle, verbburn, verbbus, nounbusiness continuity services, nounbusiness continuity services, button, nounbyte, nounCabinet Office Briefing Rooms, cable modem, nouncache, nouncache, verbCAD, nounCAD/CAM, nounCAL, nounCalifornia, nounCALL, nounCAM, nounCambridge, Capita, caps lock, nouncapture, verbcapture, nouncard, nouncathode ray tube, nounCAT scan, nounCBT, nounCD-R, nounCD-ROM, nounCD-ROM drive, CDRW, nounCD-RW, nouncentral processing unit, nouncentral processor, nounCGI, nounCHAPS, character, nounchat room, nouncheat, nouncheckbox, nounchip, nounchip card, CIM, CIO, clerical assistant, click, verbclickable, adjectiveclient, nounclient machine, client-server, adjectiveclient/server architecture, clip art, nounclipboard, nouncloaking, nounclock cycle, nounclock speed, nounclone, nouncluster, nounCOBOL, nouncode, nouncoder, nouncom, Comdex, nouncommand, nouncomm port, comms, nouncompact disc, nounCompaq, compatibility, nouncompatible, adjectivecompatible, nouncompile, verbcompiler, nouncompress, verbcomputer, nouncomputer (industry) analyst, computer-aided, adjectivecomputer-aided design, nouncomputer-aided manufacture, computer-aided manufacturing, nouncomputer-assisted, adjectivecomputerate, adjectivecomputer-based training, computer-generated, adjectivecomputer-integrated manufacture, computerize, verbcomputer-literate, adjectivecomputer modelling, nouncomputer science, nouncomputer system, computer virus, nouncomputing, nounconcordance, nounconfiguration, nounconfigure, verbconnect, verbconnectivity, nounconsole, nouncontrol, nouncontrol key, nouncookie, nouncoordinate, nounCorel, corrupt, verbcounter, nouncourseware, nounCPU, nouncrack, verbcrack, nouncracker, nouncrash, verbcrash, nounCroft, Lara, cross-platform, adjectivecross-posting, nounCtrl, nouncursor, nouncut, verbcutover, nouncyber-, prefixcybercrime, nouncybernetics, nouncyberpunk, nouncybersickness, nouncyberspace, nouncyberterrorist, nouncyberwidow, noundata, noundata bank, noundatabase, noundatabase management, database management system, data capture, noundata centre, data dictionary, noundata encryption standard, noundata file, data interchange format file, data mining, noundata processing, noundata protection, Data Protection Act, the, Dateline, daytrader, nounday trading, nounDBMS, debug, verbdecision support system, decode, verbdecompress, verbdecrypt, verbdefault, noundefragment, verbDel, noundelete, verbdeletion, noundeliverable, noundematerialize, verbdemo, verbdemonstration version, denial of service attack, noundeselect, verbdesktop, noundesktop computer, noundesktop publishing, noundestination site, dialogue box, noundial-up, adjectivedigerati, noundigicam, noundigital nervous system, digital rights management, digital wallet, nounDilbert, direct access, noundirectory, noundisaster recovery, noundisc, noundisinfect, verbdisk, noundisk drive, noundiskette, noundisk operating system, display, noundisplay, verbdistributed processing, Dixons, dock, noundock, verbdocking station, noundocument, noundocument sharing, noundongle, nounDOS, noundot-matrix printer, noundouble click, verbdouble-click, verbdouble density, adjectivedown, adverbdownload, verbdownload, noundownloadable, adjectivedowntime, noundown time, downwardly compatible, adjectiveDP, noundrag, verbdrive, noun-driven, suffixdriver, noundropdown, noundrop down, noundrop-down menu, nounDTP, noundumb terminal, dump, verbdump, nounDVD, nounDVD-ROM, nounEasdaq, noune-book, noune-business, nounECN, noune-commerce, nouneditor, nounedutainment, noune-fatigue, nounE-FIT, nounEFTPOS, nounelectronic, adjectiveelectronic bill of lading, electronic cottage, nounelectronic data interchange, nounelectronic funds transfer, nounelectronic invoice, electronic mail, nounelectronic media, electronic publishing, nounelectronics, nounelectrosmog, nounEllison, Larry, email, nounemail account, embed, verbencrypt, verbend-to-end, adjectiveenter, verbenterprise application integration, nounentry, nounEPROM, noune-publishing, nounequipment leasing, erase, verbErnie, error, nounerror message, nounescape key, Ethernet, noune-ticket, nounE-ticket, nounexecutable, nounexecute, verbexecution, nounexit, verbexpansion card, nounexpansion slot, nounexpert system, nounexport, verbextension, nounextranet, nouneye scan, nounF2F, adjectivefabricator, nounfactory preset, nounfatware, nounfeed, verbfeed, nounfield, nounfifth generation computer, file, nounfile manager, nounfilename, nounfile sharing, nounfile transfer, filing system, filter, nounfirewall, nounfirmware, nounfirst generation, nounfirst in, first out, nounfirst-person shooter, nounfive nines, nounfixed wireless, nounflash, verbflash, nounflash drive, nounflash memory, nounflatscreen, adjectiveflat screen, flip chip, nounfloor broker, floppy disk, nounfly-by-wire, nounfolder, nounfont, nounfooter, nounfootprint, nounforklift upgrade, nounformat, verbFortran, nounforum, noun404, adjectivefreeware, nounftp, nounfunction, nounfunctionality, nounfunction key, nounfungible, adjectivefuzzy logic, nounGame Boy, gameplay, noungamer, noungaming, noungarbage in, garbage out, Gates, Bill, gateway, nounghost, nounGIF, noungigabit, noungigabyte, nounGIGO, GIS, nounGlitter, Gary, global, adjectiveGLOBEX, nounGMS, nounGoogle, gopher, noungraphical, adjectivegraphical user interface, noungraphics, noungraphics card, noungraphic software, grid computing, noungroupware, nounGUI, nounhack, verbhack, nounhacker, nounhacktivist, nounhandshake, nounhard copy, nounhard disk, nounhard drive, nounhardware, nounhard-wired, adjectiveHawk, Tony, Hawking, Stephen, head, nounheader, nounhelp, nounhelp desk, nounhelp menu, help screen, nounHewlett Packard, hexadecimal, adjectivehigh-definition, adjectivehigh-level, adjectivehigh-level language, highlight, verbhome computer, home office, nounhome shopping, hookup, nounhook-up, nounhost computer, hot key, nounhot link, nounhot spot, nounHTML, nounhttp, hyperlink, nounhypertext, nounIBM, icon, nounICT, nounidentifier, nouniMac, nounimport, verbinbox, nounincremental backup, nounincubator space, industrial design, infect, verbinfected, adjectiveinformation exchange, information retrieval, nouninformation system, information technology, nouninfowar, nouninitialize, verbinkjet printer, nouninput, nouninput, verbinput/output, adjectiveinstall, verbinstaller, nounInstinet, Intel, intelligent terminal, interactive, adjectiveinteractive whiteboard, nouninterface, nouninterface, verbInternational Securities Exchange, nounInternet cafe, nounInternet Service Provider, interpreter, nounintranet, nouninvoke, verbIP address, nouniPod, nouniris scan, nounISDN, nounISP, nounIT, nouniterate, verbiTunes, iTV, nounJava, nounjob, nounjob bank, Jobs, Steve, joystick, nounJPEG, nounK, KB, keno, nounkey, nounkeyboard, nounkeyboard, verbkeyboarder, nounkeypad, nounkeystroke, nounkeyword, nounkilobyte, nounkit, nounkludge, nounknowledge base, Kraftwerk, LAN, nounlanguage, nounlaptop, nounlaser disk, nounlaser printer, nounlaunch, verbLCD, nounlight industry, nounlight pen, nounline printer, nounlink, verbLinux, nounLISP, nounlisting paper, listserv, nounload, verblocal area network, nounlog file, LOGO, nounloop, nounlow-level, adjectiveMac, nounmachine, nounmachine code, nounmachine language, machine-readable, adjectiveMacintosh, nounmacro, nounmagnetic disk, nounmagnetic media, nounmagnetic tape, nounmail, nounmail, verbmailbomb, nounmailbox, nounmailing list, nounmail merge, nounmainframe, nounmainframe computer, main memory, manual, adjectivemaximize, verbmegabyte, nounmemory, nounmemory address, memory bank, nounmemory card, nounmemory hog, nounMemory Stick, nounmenu, nounmessage, nounmetadata, nounmicro, nounmicrochip, nounmicrocomputer, nounmicroelectronics, nounmicroprocessor, nounMicrosoft, MIDI, nounmigrate, verbmigration, nounMillennium bug, minicomputer, nounminimize, verbmips, mission-critical, adjectiveMIT, mixer, nounmodel, nounmodel, verbmodelling, nounmodem, nounmodule, nounmonitor, nounMoore, Gordon, Moore's Law, nounmorphing, nounmotherboard, nounMotorola, mouse, nounmouse mat, nounmouse miles, nounmouse potato, nounMP3 player, nounMP4 player, nounMPEG, nounMSC, nounMS-DOS, multimedia, adjectivemulti-player gaming, nounmultiple applications, multiplexer, nounmultitasking, nounnagware, nounNasdaq, nounNASDAQ, Naseem, Prince, National Market System, nounNEC, nerd, nounnest, verbNetscape Navigator, network, nounnetwork, verbneural computer, nounneural network, nounneuroinformatics, nounnewbie, nounnew economy, nounNintendo, node, nounnoise, nounnotebook, nounnumber-cruncher, nounnumber crunching, nounobject, nounobject language, object-oriented, adjectiveOCR, nounOfex, nounoffice machinery, offline, adverboff-line, adjectiveonline, adjectiveonline catalogue, online updating, nounon-screen, adjectiveopen, verbOpen Group, the, open outcry, nounopen system, nounoperating system, nounoperation, nounoptical character recognition, nounoptical fibre, nounoption, nounorder, nounorganizing business, OSI, nounoutbox, nounoutput, nounoutput, verbover-the-counter dealing, over-the-counter market, over-the-counter share, over-the-counter stock, over-the-counter trading, overwrite, verbP2P, adjectivepackage, nounpacket, nounpacket-switching, nounpage, nounpage break, nounpalette, nounpalm phone, nounpalmtop, nounpaperless, adjectiveparallel data query, parallel port, parallel processing, nounPASCAL, nounpass-along, adjectivepassword, nounpaste, verbpasting, nounpatch, nounpause, verbPC, nounPC Card, nounPDA, nounPDF, nounPDF file, pen drive, nounPentium, peripheral, adjectiveperipheral, nounpersonal communicator, nounpersonal computer, nounpersonal electronic device, nounpersonal organizer, nounpetaflop, nounphishing, nounping, verbpiracy, nounpirate, verbpixel, nounplasma screen, nounplatform, nounplatform game, nounPlayStation, plotter, nounplug and play, nounplug-and-play, adjectiveplug-in, nounpointer, nounpop-under, nounpop-up, nounport, nounport, verbportable, adjectivepost, verbpost-industrial, adjectivePostScript, nounPowerPoint, nounprint, verbprinter, nounprintout, nounprint-out, nounprint preview, nounprocess, verbprocessing, nounprocessor, nounprogram, nounprogram, verbprogram file, programmable, adjectiveprogrammer, nounprogramme trading, programming, nounprogramming language, PROLOG, nounPROM, nounprompt, verbprompt, nounprotocol, nounPsion, pull down, nounpull-down, adjectivepull-down menu, nounpunched card, nounquantum computer, nounQuarkXPress, queue, nounqwerty, adjectiveRAM, nounrandom access memory, nounread, verbread only memory, read-only memory, nounread-out, nounread-write, adjectivereal-time, adjectivereboot, verbrecall, verbre-chip, verbrecord, nounrecord, verbrefresh, verbreload, verbremaster, verbremote access, nounremote control, nounremote working, nounreseller, nounreset, verbrespawn, verbretinal scanner, nounretrieval, nounretrieve, verbretry, verbreturn, nounright-click, verbrip, verbroad warrior, nounrobot, nounrollover, nounROM, nounRoute 128, nounrouter, nounroutine, nounRSI, nounRTF, nounrun, verbsalami slicing, nounSamsung, save, verbscalability, nounscalable, adjectivescan, verbscanner, nounscramble, verbscreen, nounscreen-based, adjectivescreen dump, nounscreensaver, nounscreen saver, nounscreenshot, nounscroll, verbscroll bar, nounscroll key, SCSI, nounSEAQ, search, nounsearch, verbsearchable, adjectivesearch engine, nounSEATS, nounsecurity rating, SEGA, self-healing, adjectivesend, verbserial port, server, nounserver farm, nounservice bureau, nounservice pack, nounSET, nounset-up, nounSFA, nounSGML, nounshareware, nounshift, nounshift key, nounshoot-'em-up, nounshopping bot, sig file, nounsilicon, nounsilicon chip, nounSilicon Fen, nounSilicon Glen, Silicon Valley, sim, nounSIMM, nounsimulation, nounSinclair, Sir Clive, single sourcing, skin, nounslo-mo, adjectivesmall office/home office, nounsmart, adjectivesmart bomb, nounsneakernet, nounsoft copy, nounsoftware, nounsoftware engineering, SoHo, SOHO, nounSonic the Hedgehog, sort, nounsoundcard, nounsource code, nounspace bar, nounspam, nounspeech recognition, nounspeech recognition software, speech synthesizer, nounspellcheck, nounspellchecker, nounspell-checker, nounspider, nounspider food, nounspim, nounsplit screen, nounspreadsheet, nounspreadsheet software, spyware, nounstandalone, adjectivestand-alone, adjectivestandby time, nounStarr Report, the, nounstarter pack, nounstart-up, nounstorage, nounstorage unit, store, verbstore-and-forward, nounstrategic information system, stream, verbstreaming, nounStreet Fighter, string, nounstylus, nounsubdirectory, nounsubroutine, nounsuite, nounSun Microsystems, sunrise industry, nounsupercomputer, nounsuperserver, nounsupport, verbsupport, nounswitching, nounsynchronous, adjectivesyntax, nounsynthespian, nounsystem, nounsystem administrator, nounsystems analyst, nounsystems programmer, system tray, nountab, verbtab key, nountab stop, nountag, nountag, verbtape, nountape drive, taskbar, nountechie, nountechnical support, nountechno-, prefixtechnocracy, nountechno-geek, nountechnophobe, nountechy, telecentre, nountelecommuter, nountelematics, nounteleprinter, nounteleworker, nountemplate, nounterabyte, nounteraflop, nounterminal, nountestdeck, nountext-to-speech, adjectivethird-generation, adjectivethird-party software, thumbnail, nountickbox, nountick box, nountime out, nountime-sharing, nountitle bar, nountoggle, nountoner, nountoolbar, nountoolbox, nounTOPIC, nountop-level domain, nountop ranking, nounTorvalds, Linus, Toshiba, Tottenham Court Road, touchpad, nountouch screen, nountrackball, nountransaction processing, transputer, nounTrojan horse, nountroubleshooter, nounTTS, Turing, Alan, tutorial, nounundo, verbuninstall, verbunique visitor, nounUnix, noununlisted share, unlisted stock, unrecoverable error, unzip, verbup, adverbupdate, nounupgrade, verbupload, verbupload, nounuptime, nounusability, nounUSB, nounUSB drive, nounuser-friendly, adjectiveuser group, nounuser interface, nounuser name, nounUS Robotics, utility, nounVActor, nounvalid, adjectivevalue-added reseller, vapourware, nounVDT, nounVDU, nounVGA, nounvideocard, nounvideo game, nounvideo snacking, nounviral marketing, nounvirtual, adjectivevirtual corporation, virtually, adverbvirtual memory, nounvirtual office, nounvirtual organization, virtual reality, nounvirus, nounvoice print, nounvoice recognition, wallpaper, nounWAN, nounWAP, noun-ware, suffixwar game, nounWAV, nounwearable, nounWeb 2.0, nounweb browser, nounweb crawler, nounweb design, nounweb development, web-enabled, adjectiveweb hosting, nounweb log, nounweb log file, wide area network, wi-fi, nounWi-Fi, nounwild card, nounwindow, nounWindows, Wintel, wipe, verbWiponet, nounwireless internet, wireless networking, nounWord, Wordperfect, word processor, nounworkspace, nounworkstation, nounWorld Wide Web, the, worm, nounWozniak, Steve, write, verbwrite-protected, adjectiveWYSIWYG, nounXbox, XML, nounY2K, nounYahoo!, zap, verbzip file, nounzombie, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYADJECTIVES/NOUN + key
Exercise is one of the key components of a healthy lifestyle. Oh no, I’ve forgotten my wallet. a firm that is a dominant player on Wall Street She gently turned the handle of the bedroom door.
(=an extra key)· Never hide your spare key under the doormat.
· I’ll get a new door key cut for you.
· She left her car keys on the hall table.
· I’ve lost my house keys.
· She felt in her pocket for the front door key.
(=the key that starts a car or engine)· Sam turned the ignition key and drove slowly away.
phrases (=a group of keys kept together)· He took out a huge bunch of keys and unlocked the door.
(=the key that opens a door/house/cupboard)· Has anyone seen the key to the garage door?
verbs· I put the key in the lock, but it wouldn’t turn.
formal (=put it in a lock)· She inserted the key into the lock.
· He climbed into his car and turned the key.
(=make one)· Could you get a key cut for me?
(=move them so they make a ringing sound)· He walked off down the corridor, jangling his keys.
· The largest key unlocks the front door.
· We heard the key turn in the lock.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=a very important aspect)· There have been changes in five key aspects of education.
· A bunch of keys dangled from his belt.
· She left the car engine running.
Exercise is one of the key components of a healthy lifestyle.· The title tells you something about the central concept of the poem.
· She was looking in her bag for her door key.
(=very important and necessary)· Trust is a key element in any relationship.
· The report outlines the basic facts concerning the case.
(=a very important factor)· A key factor in a company’s success is knowing its customers.
(=a very important or necessary feature)· Private ownership is a key feature of capitalism.
Oh no, I’ve forgotten my wallet. (=very important)· For me, the big issue is cost.
(=a very important objective)· Their economic strategy was based on a number of key objectives.
· Many of the key personnel have left.
a firm that is a dominant player on Wall Street· The report recognized the key role of teachers.
(=a very important one)· They identified cars and electronics as key sectors in the economy.
She gently turned the handle of the bedroom door. (=a very important witness)· Rupert is expected to be a key witness at the trial.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Nightlife is fairly low key, and centres mainly around restaurants and bars, although there is one disco.· We will try to keep it low key.· Any attempt to introduce the sponsor's range of products must be low key.· He prefers khakis and is about as low key and unassuming as they come.· The style of advertisement was both low key, and up-market.· The approach to the tournament should be as low key as possible with changes being made only where absolutely necessary.· According to agent Bill Hamilton, the decision to keep the campaign low key was taken locally.· He was almost sure he had heard another whistle, in a low key, somewhere ahead of him.
NOUN· Even the car keys or a belt buckle may upset things if placed too close.· This is a man, after all, who leaves his car keys in the front seat with the doors unlocked.· Even as the thought had come Paige had been gathering up her purse and the car keys.· For security, some systems also kill the engine if a person tries to drive the vehicle without the car key.· He asked whether she would mind calling him a cab and she dangled car keys and said she would drive him herself.· A visitor was attempting to lure a squirrel close for a picture by dangling and rattling his car keys.· He reached into his pocket for his car keys.· That night, when I went to bed, I found the registration and car keys on my bed table.
· I used my house key, the same as I did yesterday.· Similarly, a domestic iris-scan unit could end the trauma of losing a set of house keys.· As my car and house keys were in the bag we had to change all the locks.· On leaving the field, Mickey found a purse containing four pounds, a pension book and a set of house keys.
· A key issue for the food of the future is what we choose to call it.· House and Senate dissension will deepen this year, making it more difficult for consensus to be achieved on key issues.· There are two key issues we can draw from Stein's analysis.· We also came up with a laundry list of key issues that had always been there but never put on the table.· The bill is a key issue, but the congressional situation is tricky.· Another key issue is the use of outside people or companies to perform skilled trades.· A key issue will be whether commanders consulted the prefect, Arnaldo La Barbera, before the raid.· Officials on both sides, however, said they expect few breakthroughs on key issues this week.
· Good mediators facilitate the necessary exchange of information and help both parties pinpoint key questions to take to their legal advisers.· A key question lingering is where the investors' money went.· Two key questions still need to be addressed: Do consumers want new services and will they pay for them?· The next key question is, How do we know what to specialize in?· A key question for the court is whether Jackson held his views about Microsoft before he began hearing the case.· The relationship between complexity and organization becomes a key question in trying to simulate the processing of sensory inputs.· A key question in interpretation of the provision: How soon must that use be implemented?
· When input is complete you should press the RETURN key.· To print these mail messages, you should press the RETURN key.· There are now two courses of action open to you: Press the RETURN key, or Enter an option number.· After both fields have been completed correctly, the RETURN key should be pressed.· The Return key which denotes the start of the new paragraph can also trigger off other paragraph attributes.· In this case, to exit the option, press the RETURN key again.· If you have inspected all marked messages, you should press the RETURN key.
· For single quotes or apostrophes leave out the Shift key.· Then, hold down the Shift key and move the cursor to the end of the block you want selected.· It really is exactly like using the Shift key.· Zoom Control Move mouse over the molecule, hold Shift key, click and hold mouse button and drag.· For punctuation and symbols, use the Shift key.
· If this is the value required, the user can move to the next field by pressing the TAB key.· They were entered using the regular Tab key at the tab stops at positions 20 and 40.· If you wish to view the next page, you need only press the TAB key.· If you have marked further messages to inspect, you should now press the TAB key.· When you are ready to start inspecting the mail messages, you should press the TAB key.· The TAB key must be pressed after typing the user name to move to the password field.
VERB· Then, hold down the Shift key and move the cursor to the end of the block you want selected.· To delete several characters to the right of the cursor, hold the Del key down.· Zoom Control Move mouse over the molecule, hold Shift key, click and hold mouse button and drag.· Hidden layers hold the key to more complex computations.· That second paradox, I believe, holds the key to the mysteries that still envelop the new regime.· Teachers frequently believe it is the parents who hold the key and that they should do more to help.· Practitioners, to a very large degree, hold the keys to reform.· Privatization could hold the key to upgrading the infrastructure.
· Once installed and running, Windows screenshots can be captured to user-defined files merely by pressing the PrintScreen key.· The effects of these keys are cancelled when you press the Enter key.· If you then take the cursor up one line and press the delete key you will have deleted the tab.· You press the Enter key to begin a new paragraph or to insert blank lines in the text.· You can prove this by going back to the start of the paragraph and pressing the Backspace key.· When you press a key on your home system, it is just as if you are pressing the key at work.· But he had provided a double failsafe mechanism for himself in case he accidently pressed the wrong key while accessing the code.· When you know a program you tend to press the correct keys to give commands cleanly and neatly.
· Could you reach through a cat-flap to withdraw the door bolts and turn a key left in the lock?· The Woman shut the door and turned the key in the lock.· Marge led Janey to the car and turned the key.· You stand at the iron door to calm yourself then turn the iron key and face the next door.· The debate turns on six key words that constitute its two poles.· Cornelius turned his key in the lock and quietly entered the ancestral home.· He turned the key in the lock, and went in the side door of the old parish hall.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1- In all types of advice work, listening is the key.
- Nixon saw the improvement of relations with China as the key to his foreign policy.
- The theory of natural selection remains the key to our understanding of the natural world.
- We feel that our policy of low-price products in plain packaging is the key to our success.
- What's the key to getting a good night's sleep?
- Oswald's FBI file has been kept under lock and key.
- If they had kept me under lock and key from my fifteenth birthday until my twentieth, I might have escaped.
- Since then, that length of self-healing cable has been kept under lock and key at the railway inspectorate building at Reading.
- Smith's copies have spent the last six days under lock and key at its Dunstable depot.
- The older children were no longer kept under lock and key.
- Wherever they are kept, they should be out of reach of children and, where appropriate, under lock and key.
- With Petersen under lock and key, life for the gumshoes of the Office of Security returned to normal.
- Your master should really have kept the book under lock and key.
- Carrying spare batteries could be a cheaper option to fast charging and all chargers rely on a power point anyway.
- Eventually, the spare key was found and they were released from the clutches of the car.
- I'd got no money, no night things, no spare clothes, no bank card.
- It may include parts of larger support weapons such as mortars, radio equipment and spare batteries.
- Make sure you have a supply of spare batteries too.
- Remember that I had always intended to leave spare key with the Twills next door but never got round to it.
- Some people take a fully charged spare battery along with them just in case!
- Soon she took my visits for granted and I was given the spare key to let myself in the door.
- A customer uses her remote control to shop different channels with the touch of a button.
- An oil dispensing massage head dispenses oil at the touch of a button to give a smooth, drag free massage.
- At the touch of a button a huge gate opens and I am confined in a small area between fences.
- At the touch of a button they can still be made to disappear.
- Jet start operates for 30 seconds at the touch of a button.
- Letters, words or whole lines can be deleted and new texts inserted at the touch of a button.
- Up to ten needles can be operated separately by computer programme producing endless designs and colourways at the touch of a button.
- You can add categories and recipes at the touch of a button.
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 etchouse/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). ► Don’t say ‘the key of’ something. Say the key to something. → master key2important part the key the part of a plan, action etc that will make it possible for it to succeedkey to Working well as a team is the key to success. a discovery that may hold the key to our understanding of the universe3computer 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)4music a)[usually plural] 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 minor5map/drawing a list of the signs, colours etc used on a map or technical drawing etc that explains what they mean6test the printed answers to a test or set of questions in a book7island [usually plural] a small flat island, especially one that is part of a group near the coast: the Florida KeysCOLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + keya 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.phrasesa 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?verbsput 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.key1 nounkey2 adjectivekey3 verb
keykey2 ●●○ S3 W2 adjective [no comparative] EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Communication is key for the newspaper team.
- Education is likely to be a key issue in the forthcoming election.
- He held a key position in the Bush administration.
- Laws are key to maintaining an orderly society.
- The key person in this project will be the design manager.
- the area's key businesses
- Transport and communications are key areas of the economy.
- We don't have much time, so let's concentrate on the key issues.
- A key card numbering the various positions was mounted on the top of the tachistoscope.
- A law on salaries which was passed on Dec. 26, 1989, was deemed to be of key importance.
- From the early 1960s the party had seen the issue of civil liberties as a key area of agitation.
- He would dispose of it and a key item of evidence would be gone for good.
- Many of the key terms and debates that take place throughout the book are introduced.
- The system comprises three key modules, which are centred on the Network Control System Console.
- What are the key leadership skills?
THESAURUSvery important
very important, especially for the success, health, or safety of someone or something: · It is essential to speak the local language.· essential supplies of food and clothing
extremely important, because without it there could be serious problems: · His evidence was vital to the case.· The US plays a crucial role in the region.· The media are a vital part of the political system.
extremely important and having a big effect: · Wheeler had a key role in the development of the atom bomb.· Timing is key.
very important: · In the construction industry, health and safety are of considerable importance.
very important because it has a very great effect on the future: · Momentous events were taking place in Russia.· a momentous decision
larger or more important than all the others: · the main entrance of the building· the main reason for his decision
most important. Chief and principal are more formal than main, and are often used in written English: · Coffee is the country’s principal export.· What is the company’s chief objective?
very important or serious: · Smoking is a major cause of heart disease.· Street crime is becoming a major problem.
most important, or the one that everything or everyone else depends on: · Education is likely to be a key issue in the election campaign.· Hooper was a key member of the team.· Diet is key.
especially spoken most important or best – this phrase sounds a little informal and it is used especially in spoken English: · Reliability is the number one priority.· the number one cause of death· He is still in the number one position.
most important – used especially about the most important aim, role, cause, or concern. Primary is more formal than main: · The primary aim of the project was to help students develop their communication skills.· Security is our primary concern.· The primary function of the university was considered to be the teaching of ‘the great cultural disciplines’.
very important or most important – used especially about the most important reason, cause, or aim, or about the most likely target or suspect.Prime is more formal than main: · Their prime objective is to increase profits for their shareholders.· Tourists are prime targets for theft and robbery.
most important – used especially about the things that people should pay most attention to: · the core skills of reading and writing· He wants the company to focus on its core business – advertising.· The party’s core values are individual freedom and reducing the amount of government bureaucracy.
most important and having more influence than anything else: · The U.S. played a central role in the peace negotiations.· a central theme of the book· The central question is, why are people still so attached to their cars?
most common, typical, or important: · Yellow was the predominant colour everywhere.· High arched windows are a predominant feature in English churches.· New York still has a predominant role in the contemporary art world.·
Longman Language Activatorsomething that is important something that is important has a big effect on people's lives and on the way things will happen: · Next Thursday's game is very important - if Italy lose they will be out of the World Cup.· I have an important announcement to make, so please listen carefully.· She didn't realize how important schoolwork was until it was too late.
one of the most important or serious things - use this especially when there is a small number of very important things, but a larger number of less important things: · Smoking is a major cause of heart disease· All the world's major sporting events can be seen on HHS TV.· It's the chief executive who makes all the major decisions.
: big decision/event/occasion/day etc an important decision, event etc, especially one that will influence or affect the rest of your life: · This is a big decision - you'll have to give me time to think.· Graduation Day is one of those big occasions when everyone wants a souvenir photograph.the big day especially spoken (=a very important day in someone's life): · I hear you're getting married - when's the big day?
: key role/factor/issue etc someone or something that has an extremely important effect on the way something develops: · Education is likely to be a key issue in the forthcoming election.· The key person in this project will be the design manager.· He held a key position in the Bush administration.
important enough to be noticed and considered and to make a difference to a situation: · There has been a significant change in people's attitude to the environment.· Winning the award was a significant achievement.· a significant new discovery, which will improve our understanding of the AIDS virus
important: of some/great/major etc importance: · This battle was of great importance.· They suddenly became silent, listening as if what he said was of the greatest importance.of no/not of any importance: · Nothing of any importance was agreed at their meeting.
a historic event, moment etc is remembered as a part of history because it brings important changes that affect a situation for a long time: · the historic moment when Nelson Mandela was released from prison· In his book, Churchill describes that historic first meeting with Roosevelt.
: momentous event/decision/occasion etc something that is very important because it has a very great effect or influence on future events: · At this point William made a momentous decision -- he resigned from his job and joined the army.· The revolution taking place in eastern Europe must be counted as one of the most momentous events of this century.
a time or situation that is critical is extremely important and possibly dangerous because your future will depend on what happens or is decided at that time: · These accusations came at a critical phase in the negotiations.critical for: · The next few months could be critical for the whole mining industry.
an important time or event in someone's life, in history, in the development of knowledge etc, especially one that is the beginning of great improvements: · Getting my first part in a movie was a major landmark in my life.· This new drug is a landmark in the treatment of cancer.
more important than anything else more important than anything else: · Ben's main problem was lack of money.· You should clearly state your main idea at the beginning of the essay.· We walked up the stairs to the main entrance of the building.· The main reason kids don't get vaccinated is that parents don't realize how important it is.
more important than anything else. Chief and principal mean the same as main , but they are used especially in written or formal English: · Coffee is the country's principal export.· Kendall's chief complaint about the opera is that the characters are not historically accurate.· The chief purpose of the march was to draw attention to the poor condition of schools.
one of the most important or serious things - use this especially when there is a small number of really important things, but a larger number of less important things: · Smoking is a major cause of heart disease.· I thought we agreed to talk to each other before making any major decisions.major city (=large and important city): · Gang activity that was limited to major cities has now spilled over to towns and rural areas.
a key person or thing is one that is the most important because everything depends on them: · We don't have much time, so let's concentrate on the key issues.· Transport and communications are key areas of the economy.be key to (doing) something: · Laws are key to maintaining an orderly society.
: primary concern/responsibility/reason/role etc the most important one: · As always, security is our primary concern.· Financial reward is the primary reason most people work.
: prime suspect/target/candidate the one most likely to be chosen: · Tourists are prime targets for theft and robbery. · The FBI regarded him as its prime suspect in the case.· Cheryl is a prime candidate for the new managerial position.
more noticeable, more powerful, or more common than others: · Yellow is the predominant color in most of his paintings.· When we visited the country, our predominant impression was one of poverty and hardship.
use this about the main and most important parts of a subject, activity, plan etc: · We concentrate most on teaching the core skills of reading, writing, and mathematics.· The government will discuss what they say are the core issues of education and health care.
the main ideas in a speech, piece of writing etc the main ideas or the basic meaning of a speech, piece of writing etc: · I made a few notes of the main points I wanted to cover in the speech.· The following article explains four key points that all new investors should understand.
the general meaning of a speech, argument, piece of writing etc, without all the details: the gist of: · The gist of the article is that children should have more rights in deciding their own futures.get the gist (=understand the general meaning): · I couldn't hear everything they said but I got the gist.
the main aim or purpose of an argument, speech, or political action: · The whole thrust of the US policy was to isolate Cuba.· The thrust of the case is whether the federal law overrides the state ban.
the most important facts or ideas in a statement, for example in a description of events or a set of arguments or opinions: · When reduced to their essentials, most religions are not so different.essentials of: · She was always very quick to grasp the essentials of an opponent's argument.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYnouns Exercise is one of the key components of a healthy lifestyle. Oh no, I’ve forgotten my wallet. a firm that is a dominant player on Wall Street She gently turned the handle of the bedroom door.
(=a very important factor)· A key factor in starting any business is its location.
(=a very important part)· Advertising is a key element in the success of a product.
· Sanders played a key role in the team’s winning season.
· What are the key areas of economic policy?
· The environment became a key issue during the election.
(=a key person)· She was a key figure in the election campaign.
· He won’t leave key players out of the team.
(=someone who can give important information about a crime)· She will be a key witness in the murder trial.
· Women made most of the key decisions about how money was spent in the household.
(=an important or useful word)· Once you know the key words, you can make your own sentence.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=a very important aspect)· There have been changes in five key aspects of education.
· A bunch of keys dangled from his belt.
· She left the car engine running.
Exercise is one of the key components of a healthy lifestyle.· The title tells you something about the central concept of the poem.
· She was looking in her bag for her door key.
(=very important and necessary)· Trust is a key element in any relationship.
· The report outlines the basic facts concerning the case.
(=a very important factor)· A key factor in a company’s success is knowing its customers.
(=a very important or necessary feature)· Private ownership is a key feature of capitalism.
Oh no, I’ve forgotten my wallet. (=very important)· For me, the big issue is cost.
(=a very important objective)· Their economic strategy was based on a number of key objectives.
· Many of the key personnel have left.
a firm that is a dominant player on Wall Street· The report recognized the key role of teachers.
(=a very important one)· They identified cars and electronics as key sectors in the economy.
She gently turned the handle of the bedroom door. (=a very important witness)· Rupert is expected to be a key witness at the trial.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· From the early 1960s the party had seen the issue of civil liberties as a key area of agitation.· The other key area would appear to be the line-out laws.· Recruitment has, to a large extent, centred on the key areas of sales and research staff.· These are key areas for attention which are highlighted in the project management literature.· Thus, in the key area of economic policy, despite an occasional victory, Carter achieved little.· We have also tightened up our management in other key areas of milk production.· We were delighted yesterday to obtain the agreement of the manufacturers to concentrate on these three key areas.· That must include long-term investment in key areas of training, education, research and development, and transport.
· A key aspect of this part of the mix is the life-cycle of the product.· The indifference to occupational type is a key aspect of this definition.· This is a key aspect of the refugee question which has so far received inadequate attention.· Another key aspect of the new courses has been the building in of planned linkages to degree provision.· In this context, let us remind ourselves of the key aspects of their position.
· Instead, we concentrate upon some key components and examples, which serve to illustrate the issues and problems involved.· The lineup appears to be strong from top to bottom, but all the players know Bagwell is the key component.· Transport is usually considered as the key component of the provision of social overhead capital.· The key component was Thompson Seedless, which also are consumed as table grapes, raisins and grape concentrate.· Its key components include a graphical user interface builder, database access, reusable application framework and cross-platform portability, it says.· Rockwell not only built the space shuttle but constructed key components for the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs of the 1960s.· The key component of Karpov's strategy, challenging Black's only well placed piece.· Instead they turned up on site with stone panels missing and without many of these key components.
· This should involve making all key decisions and even moving into your office during your absence.· That means, as usual, the key decisions will be made in the September primary election.· It is there that key decisions are made.· The Cabinet, chaired by the prime minister, is the key decision making body within the government.· End of the road Quickly and sensibly, Joe found the key decision-makers and talked with them.· Your chance to make up your own mind about what key decision makers are saying by listening to them in full.· The allocation of the increment becomes the key decision. 2.· Nevertheless, the key decisions about resources for the social policy sector will be regarded as economic policy decisions.
· Trade unionism became a key element in national solidarity and social education.· The key element, however, is not the ardor of the reformers.· So this week we highlight the key elements of a typical mortgage endowment policy statement.· Francis noted that strong profit margins and a committed, rock-solid management team were the key elements for a successful start-up.· But a key element remained the considerable filial loyalty the catholic nationalists showed towards their clergy, bishops, and Popes.· Water is a key element in the ley system.· The two key elements are space and timing.· The remainder of the course involves a practical exercise which demonstrates the benefits of improving these key elements.
· Confidence is a key factor in any football situation.· And perhaps even more important, Steinberg and his colleagues sought the key factors in the lives of students who did achieve.· The key factor in this decision will invariably be money.· However, the key factor will be whether the president puts campaign finance reform high on his agenda for next year.· It seems possible, therefore, that financial managers should be involved in the identification and analysis of those key factors.· The key factor in making better decisions is a careful analysis of what an organization believes about itself and its environment.· There are four key factors which illustrate the point.· Bandwidth and attenuation are the key factors.
· This latter award reminds me of a key feature of being the best and that is teamwork.· Research Areas Learning constitutes one of the key features of a neural network.· There are some registry subsystems that contain key features of expert systems.· A key feature of the module is that the programme should reflect activities and contexts which the student values and has chosen.· Indeed, one of the key features of the Nottinghamshire initiative was that it occurred in somewhat of a policy vacuum.· The key feature of the methodology is the use of comparisons of related texts to reveal sociologically significant textual features.· The following lists some key features of the new qualifications.· Some key features of Durkheim's argument can be isolated.
· Lucia Walker is one of the key figures in the development of contact improvisation in this country.· The ruling brings together key figures in two other notorious Los Angeles criminal cases.· The formal decision was taken in January 1947 by Attlee, Bevin and a handful of other key figures.· For Wilson, as both she and Branson were acutely aware, was a key figure in Virgin's defence.· He is alleged to have been a key figure in virtually all aspects of the Guinness affair.· The key figure here is the number of seeks per access.· Four key figures who will have varied feelings during Tuesday night's Essex Senior Cup final.
· On Dec. 10 Lubys announced the key members of his new government.· Mark and Loi were the key members.· A cordon of armour was parked around newspapers and broadcasting stations, and key members of the previous administration were arrested.· He was always zealous in good works, always regular at worship and a key member of the church.· Since then, Lake has said it was a mistake to not inform key members of Congress of the decision.· Devon lost the services of Peter Roebuck just as he was becoming a key member of their side.· And the team must always include the disabled person in question, besides key members of the family and friends.
· Reviewing Reviewing plays a key part in the process of learning from experience.· Project work and its practical application forms a key part of the programme.· The sales forecast is a key part of the company's plans.· The long-awaited report has been a key part of the couple's bitter custody battle.· The key part of her proposition, furthermore, is the Creole part.· It is frequently seen in tumours and may play a key part in the kinetics of tumour growth.· Public Relations is a key part of an infill project.· Non-verbal behaviours also play a key part.
· Dale Baker and David Gibson are now key players in Bright's new look side, both made 70's.· Principals are key players and are encouraged to take the lead to ensure that identification procedures are implemented.· Northampton, too, were missing key players, going down by five tries to a consolation one.· In the 1930s, they were key players in lettuce strikes in Salinas.· We are also key players in a cosmic struggle.· A half-dozen key players have been there.· Resignations followed and several key players in the hip-hop wars became un-persons.· The series dramatized the struggle by portraying the key players on both sides and probing their motives and strategies.
· What are the key points in the extract?· But the 14-member committee, led by former Housing Secretary Jack Kemp, was vague on several key points.· Are you a fast reader with the ability to retain the key points?· And she found herself at key points in her relationship yelling at her financially ambitious partner because they had such different aspirations.· Policies emerge that are not merely compromises but also remain obscure on key points of implementation.· Stones become important symbols for Karlin at key points throughout the book.· The final key point about these analyses are their emphasis on broader social change.· The key point is that the level of output depends directly upon total or aggregate expenditures.
· In most modern societies, parties have key positions on economic and social issues or on constitutional matters.· In any graphics system the object to be animated is first drawn on paper in a number of key positions.· Display maps at the key positions should remove this problem.· This is a key position to learn to cure thinned shots.· How are they going to fill key positions to perpetuate growth?· Would you give them a key position of accountability in your team?· Hongkong Bank is moving fast to consolidate its acquisition and is appointing senior executives to many of the key positions.
· Fluoride can be harmful; the key question is, at what concentrations does it become toxic in the body?· The key question is, of course, how much inequality can government prevent before the too-much limit is reached.· A key question is whether firms should be able to decide which regulatory body to join.· The key question has become how information is organized, who has access to it, and why.· But this begs the key questions.· These are the key questions to be asked about reciprocity within families, both historical and contemporary.· Indeed, the key question is whether the organization serves or squashes the human spirit.
· The tokens are swapped for Guinness T shirts, key rings, vouchers and customised prizes.· She rummaged in her handbag for the key on its wooden key ring and tried to fit it into the lock.· He had to fumble in it for some seconds before his fingers found the key ring.· Interestingly, the use of key rings is confined solely to the Roman period.· Sebastian Nocon got a huge key ring with the letter S on it from Fergie.· Other good features include a spare bulb in the tail cap and a useful key ring facility.
· The project high-lighted the key role of the expert advisors which are used by farm managers in undertaking their roles.· Those visiting the current exhibit will learn that black churches and their leaders played key roles in local history.· A score was assigned for a given profile, and computer facilities played a key role in the development of this area.· But analysts said politics and public sentiment almost certainly played key roles.· Poulantzas' explanation gives a key role to the relation between the capitalist state and capitalist ideology.· And then midway through the second-half he played a key role in Brian Strain's vital winner.· Luck has always played a key role in doing the pools, but half the fun was thinking that skill mattered.· This highlights the key role played by the perfect capital market assumption.
· And Graham Gooch's first lieutenant Stewart, the Surrey skipper, will be a key witness at a committee of inquiry.· Most of the key witnesses have long since skipped the country.
· Find a secretary and some key workers, depending on your needs.· As a key worker or a care assistant, you may go to see the person in their own home.· She'd like to see a key worker allocated to each patient and families made more fully informed about treatment.· I attend different groups, and I've got a key worker who I see once a week.· Plans for a garden village with houses for key workers were also implemented.· Integrating services - Another set of advantages was the identification of key workers and clarification of their roles.· In some Homes, you may be a key worker, working with perhaps three or four other care assistants.· What is involved in being a key worker?
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
very important or necessary: - Oswald's FBI file has been kept under lock and key.
- If they had kept me under lock and key from my fifteenth birthday until my twentieth, I might have escaped.
- Since then, that length of self-healing cable has been kept under lock and key at the railway inspectorate building at Reading.
- Smith's copies have spent the last six days under lock and key at its Dunstable depot.
- The older children were no longer kept under lock and key.
- Wherever they are kept, they should be out of reach of children and, where appropriate, under lock and key.
- With Petersen under lock and key, life for the gumshoes of the Office of Security returned to normal.
- Your master should really have kept the book under lock and key.
- Carrying spare batteries could be a cheaper option to fast charging and all chargers rely on a power point anyway.
- Eventually, the spare key was found and they were released from the clutches of the car.
- I'd got no money, no night things, no spare clothes, no bank card.
- It may include parts of larger support weapons such as mortars, radio equipment and spare batteries.
- Make sure you have a supply of spare batteries too.
- Remember that I had always intended to leave spare key with the Twills next door but never got round to it.
- Some people take a fully charged spare battery along with them just in case!
- Soon she took my visits for granted and I was given the spare key to let myself in the door.
- A customer uses her remote control to shop different channels with the touch of a button.
- An oil dispensing massage head dispenses oil at the touch of a button to give a smooth, drag free massage.
- At the touch of a button a huge gate opens and I am confined in a small area between fences.
- At the touch of a button they can still be made to disappear.
- Jet start operates for 30 seconds at the touch of a button.
- Letters, words or whole lines can be deleted and new texts inserted at the touch of a button.
- Up to ten needles can be operated separately by computer programme producing endless designs and colourways at the touch of a button.
- You can add categories and recipes at the touch of a button.
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.► see thesaurus at important, main → low-keyCOLLOCATIONSnounsa 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.key1 nounkey2 adjectivekey3 verb
keykey3 ●●○ verb [transitive] VERB TABLE
key
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | key |
| he, she, it | keys | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | keyed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have keyed |
| he, she, it | has keyed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had keyed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will key |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have keyed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am keying |
| he, she, it | is keying | |
| you, we, they | are keying | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was keying |
| you, we, they | were keying | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been keying |
| he, she, it | has been keying | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been keying |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be keying |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been keying |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Rollins keyed a 98-89 victory for the Hawks.
- Breaking it, if it can be found, produces the effect of keying out the engram.
- But it is also possible that they were keying into an actual human possibility.
Longman Language Activatorto write something on a computer, typewriter etc
to write something using a computer: · Most of our students write their essays on screen.· While I was writing, the computer went down and I lost all my work.
to write with a computer or a typewriter: · I'm afraid I don't type very fast.· Could you type those letters for me?type something out/up (=to type something that has been written on paper): · We'll have someone type it out and put it in alphabetical order.· I asked Michelle to type up my assignment so I could mail it in today.type in something (=type something in a blank space, for example on a form): · Bring up the customer database, and type in the amount on the invoice.
especially British to write something on a computer, especially something that you are copying: key in something: · I keyed in my password, but the file still won't open.key something in: · Find out the name of the file, key it in, and it will appear on the screen
to make words or numbers appear on a computer screen by pressing the keys: · Enter the filename and click 'OK'.· She entered Jim's postcode, and watched as a street map appeared on the screen.enter something in/into: · The patients' medical records are entered into a database.
to produce copies of a book, letter, newspaper etc using a printing machine: · Most of our books are printed abroad.· This book was printed on recycled paper.· Where did you get your wedding invitations printed?
to produce a copy of something you have written on a computer using a special machine connected to it: · My printer prints out at 8 pages per minute.· She printed three copies of the letter.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Exercise is one of the key components of a healthy lifestyle. Oh no, I’ve forgotten my wallet. a firm that is a dominant player on Wall Street She gently turned the handle of the bedroom door.
(=a very important aspect)· There have been changes in five key aspects of education.
· A bunch of keys dangled from his belt.
· She left the car engine running.
Exercise is one of the key components of a healthy lifestyle.· The title tells you something about the central concept of the poem.
· She was looking in her bag for her door key.
(=very important and necessary)· Trust is a key element in any relationship.
· The report outlines the basic facts concerning the case.
(=a very important factor)· A key factor in a company’s success is knowing its customers.
(=a very important or necessary feature)· Private ownership is a key feature of capitalism.
Oh no, I’ve forgotten my wallet. (=very important)· For me, the big issue is cost.
(=a very important objective)· Their economic strategy was based on a number of key objectives.
· Many of the key personnel have left.
a firm that is a dominant player on Wall Street· The report recognized the key role of teachers.
(=a very important one)· They identified cars and electronics as key sectors in the economy.
She gently turned the handle of the bedroom door. (=a very important witness)· Rupert is expected to be a key witness at the trial.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1American English informal if you key a win for your team, you help it win a game because you play very well: - Oswald's FBI file has been kept under lock and key.
- If they had kept me under lock and key from my fifteenth birthday until my twentieth, I might have escaped.
- Since then, that length of self-healing cable has been kept under lock and key at the railway inspectorate building at Reading.
- Smith's copies have spent the last six days under lock and key at its Dunstable depot.
- The older children were no longer kept under lock and key.
- Wherever they are kept, they should be out of reach of children and, where appropriate, under lock and key.
- With Petersen under lock and key, life for the gumshoes of the Office of Security returned to normal.
- Your master should really have kept the book under lock and key.
- Carrying spare batteries could be a cheaper option to fast charging and all chargers rely on a power point anyway.
- Eventually, the spare key was found and they were released from the clutches of the car.
- I'd got no money, no night things, no spare clothes, no bank card.
- It may include parts of larger support weapons such as mortars, radio equipment and spare batteries.
- Make sure you have a supply of spare batteries too.
- Remember that I had always intended to leave spare key with the Twills next door but never got round to it.
- Some people take a fully charged spare battery along with them just in case!
- Soon she took my visits for granted and I was given the spare key to let myself in the door.
- A customer uses her remote control to shop different channels with the touch of a button.
- An oil dispensing massage head dispenses oil at the touch of a button to give a smooth, drag free massage.
- At the touch of a button a huge gate opens and I am confined in a small area between fences.
- At the touch of a button they can still be made to disappear.
- Jet start operates for 30 seconds at the touch of a button.
- Letters, words or whole lines can be deleted and new texts inserted at the touch of a button.
- Up to ten needles can be operated separately by computer programme producing endless designs and colourways at the touch of a button.
- You can add categories and recipes at the touch of a button.
Abdul keyed the game with three touchdowns.2British English to prepare a surface so that a covering such as paint will stick to itkey 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 English1to make or change a system so that it works well with something else: The daycare hours are keyed to the needs of working parents.2if 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