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
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The film was inspired by a conversation Margolin had with his own now-deceased grandmother, and that personal experience is the key to Thelma's warmth, humor, and authenticity. Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024 Here are links to each of them — Equifax, TransUnion and Experian — with instructions about how to get a credit freeze: A person’s Social Security number is a key to identity theft. Steve Weisman, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024 Her love and joy must be the key to her forever young beauty!!! Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024 Kristi Mullican told police David did not have a key to her house, but accessed it through a kitchen window or the garage door opener. Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 23 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for key to 

Dictionary Entries Near key to

Cite this Entry

“Key to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/key%20to. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.

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