key to
phrasal verb
keyed to; keying to; keys to
chiefly US
1
: to make (something) suitable for (a particular use or type of person)
I try to key my lectures to my audience.
—often used as (be) keyed toThe educational program is keyed to the needs of working women.
2
: to change (something) in a way that is closely related to (something else)
—usually used as (be) keyed to
The amount of money they receive is keyed to the rate of inflation.
Examples of key to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The audio quality was crisp and robust, which is key to delivering jump scares.
—
PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2025
The Isle of Skye holds the key to ancient species.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Bringing the technology out of testing environments and crypto exchanges, and into the real world at an unprecedented scale, is key to ADI Foundation’s success.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Instead of her being forced to leave it there (and Alex eventually stumbling across it), Sophi could have taken the box — thereby either denying Alex ever getting his idol, or perhaps even then later sneaking off and using the key to get the idol herself.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for key to
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PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2025
The Isle of Skye holds the key to ancient species.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Bringing the technology out of testing environments and crypto exchanges, and into the real world at an unprecedented scale, is key to ADI Foundation’s success.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Instead of her being forced to leave it there (and Alex eventually stumbling across it), Sophi could have taken the box — thereby either denying Alex ever getting his idol, or perhaps even then later sneaking off and using the key to get the idol herself.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for key to
Cite this Entry
“Key to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/key%20to. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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