key synonyms

key

modif.

essential, important, chief, pivotal; see fundamental 1, principal.

key

n.

  1. Instrument to open a lock

    latchkey, opener, master key, passkey, skeleton key, passe-partout (French).

  2. A means of solution

    answer, explanation, solution, clue, index, pointer, pivot, hinge, crux, fulcrum, lever, nexus, core, root, taproot, nucleus, earmark, marker, symptom, sign, brand, cipher, code, indicator, blueprint, signboard, tip-off*; see also answer 2.

Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.