key to

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

Officers executed a search warrant at the suspect's residence on July 29, seizing the keys to his pickup truck and keys to a locked gun safe. — Riley Moser, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

The par-3 sixth hole and the long par-3 16th hole will be key to watch, with big numbers lurking. — Dennis Esser, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

For fellow author Marissa Stapley, Telfer’s book is key to understanding why con artists are seen as intriguing — an idea Stapley explored in her 2021 novel, Lucky. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026

The race has already inflamed tensions within the Democratic Party over how to energize liberal voters eager for unapologetic, combative candidates while not alienating independents and moderates who have been key to winning in battlegrounds. — Matt Brown, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for key to

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