key
A small piece of metal used for opening or closing a lock on a door, suitcase, or vehicle. In travel, it often refers to a metal object or an electronic card used to access a hotel room.
Examples
3 of 5I can't find the key to my suitcase.
I can't find the key to my suitcase.
Please return your room key to the reception desk before leaving.
Please return your room key to the reception desk before leaving.
Hey, do you have the car key?
Hey, do you have the car key?
Word Family
Memory Tip
A 'key' starts with the letter 'K', which looks like a person standing next to a door waiting to get in.
Quick Quiz
I lost my room ____, so I need to go to the hotel reception.
Correct!
The correct answer is: key
Examples
I can't find the key to my suitcase.
everydayI can't find the key to my suitcase.
Please return your room key to the reception desk before leaving.
formalPlease return your room key to the reception desk before leaving.
Hey, do you have the car key?
informalHey, do you have the car key?
The key is the primary instrument used to gain entry to the research facility.
academicThe key is the primary instrument used to gain entry to the research facility.
The office manager will issue a spare key for the new branch office.
businessThe office manager will issue a spare key for the new branch office.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
under lock and key
under lock and key
key to success
key to success
key card
key card
Often Confused With
A keyboard is a set of keys on a computer or piano, while a key is a single object for a lock.
A 'key' can mean a solution, but a 'clue' is a piece of evidence used to solve a mystery.
Usage Notes
When staying at a hotel, even if you receive a plastic card, it is still commonly referred to as a 'key' or 'room key'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often say 'key of the door' instead of the correct preposition 'key to the door'.
Memory Tip
A 'key' starts with the letter 'K', which looks like a person standing next to a door waiting to get in.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old English word 'cæg', which referred to a metal piece used to move a bolt.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many modern Western countries, physical metal keys are being replaced by digital keys on smartphones or key cards.
Quick Quiz
I lost my room ____, so I need to go to the hotel reception.
Correct!
The correct answer is: key
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
A movable barrier used to open and close an entrance to a ro...
safeTo make something secure or to put a device into a state whe...
securitySecurity refers to the state of being free from danger, thre...
receptionThe place in a hotel or office building where people go when...
suitcaseA suitcase is a large, rectangular container with a handle a...
More Travel words
ship
A1A large boat used for carrying passengers or goods across deep water like oceans and seas. Ships are much bigger than boats and are designed for long-distance travel.
station
A1A station is a designated place where trains or buses regularly stop to allow passengers to get on or off. It can also refer to a building or facility used for a specific purpose, such as a police station or a radio station.
passport
A1A passport is an official government document that identifies you as a citizen of a particular country. It is necessary for traveling to other countries and serves as proof of identity at international borders.
suitcase
A1A suitcase is a large, rectangular container with a handle and often wheels, used for carrying clothes and personal items while traveling. It is designed to be carried by hand or rolled through airports and stations.
driver
A1A person who operates a motor vehicle, such as a car, bus, or truck. They are responsible for controlling the vehicle's speed and direction while traveling on the road.
bed
A1A piece of furniture that you sleep on, typically consisting of a mattress on a frame. In the context of travel, it refers to the sleeping accommodation provided in a hotel or hostel.
check-out
A1The act of leaving a hotel or similar place after paying the bill and returning the room key. It can also refer to the area in a store where you pay for your items.
floor
A1The flat bottom surface of a room that people walk on. It also refers to a specific level or story within a building, such as the ground floor or the fifth floor.
towel
A1A piece of thick absorbent cloth or paper used for drying your body or a surface. It is a common household item and an essential travel accessory for the beach or bathroom.
island
A1An island is a piece of land that is completely surrounded by water on all sides. It can be located in an ocean, sea, lake, or river and is smaller than a continent.
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