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 to

The 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

But many angry test-takers and parents say an apology isn’t enough to make up for the damage in test scores and college applications – which are often seen as the key to a successful future in hyper-competitive South Korea. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025

Thoughtful styling is the key to making these classic silhouettes feel both chic and of the moment. —Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 19 Dec. 2025

And police said information from a tipster who encountered the suspect near Brown University was key to making the identification. —Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025

Another key to maintaining relevancy is pop culture appeal. —Taylor Crumpton, Time, 19 Dec. 2025

Rhymes for key to

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou