key
Opens a lock
The commonest and oldest use of key is for an object that opens a lock: car key, card key.
The implicit idea of a thing that is essential for the use of something else has imbued key with an important adjectival role: the candidates avoided many of the key issues.
If one thing is keyed to another, one either depends on, or provides, a reference to the other: she keyed her sermon to the congregation’s need for comfort.
The small island called a key is separately derived.
Converting data into code
- cipherHidden writing system
- decryptReverse encoding process
- codeSymbolic communication system
- passwordAuthentication string
passphrase · cryptography · public · private · symmetric · asymmetric · hash · token
Open a secured closure
entrance · doorway · deadbolt · latch · master · skeleton · passkey · lockout
Lacking vertical variation
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- signatureHandwritten name for verification
- majorOf chief importance
- minorScale with lowered third
tonic · modulation · transpose · scale · tonality · relative · parallel · accidental
Essential or sustaining existence
- crucialOf supreme importance
- pivotalVitally important, deciding
- essentialFundamentally necessary
- importantOf great significance
fundamental · central · integral · indispensable · linchpin · cornerstone · crux · core
Small coral island
- reefUnderwater rock or coral formation
- coralMarine skeletal formation
- sandbarUnderwater ridge of sediment
- atollRing-shaped reef island
shoal · lagoon · tropical · barrier · islet · Florida · Biscayne · Largo
Keyed percussion instrument
- organBody's working component
- harpsichordPlucked-string keyboard instrument
- synthesizerElectronic sound-generating instrument
- accordionBellows-driven reed instrument
ivories · black · white · ebony · ivory · fingerboard · octave · touch
Solution to query
- clueSolving aid
- solutionAnswer or liquid mixture
- explanationStatement making something clear
- legendUnverified traditional tale
decode · decipher · puzzle · mystery · riddle · hint · revelation · solve
Representational sign or device
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
- significanceQuality of mattering
- symbolRepresentational mark or sign
representation · meaning · token · hallmark · crest · sigil · ceremonial · golden
encryption
Converting data into code
password · passphrase · cryptography · public · private · symmetric · asymmetric · hash · token · secure
unlock
Open a secured closure
gateway · entrance · doorway · deadbolt · latch · master · skeleton · passkey · lockout · keyway
flat
Lacking vertical variation
minor · tonic · modulation · transpose · scale · tonality · relative · parallel · accidental · clef
vital
Essential or sustaining existence
important · fundamental · central · integral · indispensable · linchpin · cornerstone · crux · core · decisive
cay
Small coral island
- reefUnderwater rock or coral formation
- coralMarine skeletal formation
- sandbarUnderwater ridge of sediment
atoll · shoal · lagoon · tropical · barrier · islet · Florida · Biscayne · Largo · West
piano
Keyed percussion instrument
- organBody's working component
- harpsichordPlucked-string keyboard instrument
- synthesizerElectronic sound-generating instrument
accordion · ivories · black · white · ebony · ivory · fingerboard · octave · touch · action
answer
Solution to query
- clueSolving aid
- solutionAnswer or liquid mixture
- explanationStatement making something clear
legend · decode · decipher · puzzle · mystery · riddle · hint · revelation · solve · crack
emblem
Representational sign or device
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
- significanceQuality of mattering
symbol · representation · meaning · token · hallmark · crest · sigil · ceremonial · golden · freedom
legend
Unverified traditional tale
- indexAlphabetical guide to contents
- guideLeader or instruction book
- referenceDirecting attention elsewhere
chart · symbol · annotation · scale · compass · notation · glossary · diagram · explanation · interpretation
- long E soundbee, fee, see, tee, free
- long vowel wordslong a, long e, long i, long o, long u
- geography termsmap, atlas, globe, compass, coordinates
- authenticationpassword, login, logout, fingerprint, ID
- jewelry charmsheart, star, cross, infinity symbol, butterfly
- Knowledge metaphorslight bulb, enlightenment, illumination, dawn, spark
keytrivial
Lacking significance or weight
unimportant · insignificant · minor · peripheral · secondary
keyoff-key
Wrong pitch, musically
out of tune · dissonance · atonality · dissonant · discordant
- car keysVehicle ignition tokens
- house keyTool unlocking your residence
- key pointsCentral ideas distilled
- key ringLoop organizing lock openers
- lock and keyPaired fastening mechanism
- key chainRing holding multiple openers
keys, keyboard, keyhole, keynote, keystone, keying, keyed, keyboards, keypad