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 toThe 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
The combination of access and enablement is key to making these benefits real and effective.
—
Mindi Cox, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Positioning in an accessible luxury space will be key to the new owners’ strategy.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 3 June 2025
Think of festival involvement as part of a longer-term relationship rather than a one-off opportunity and that’ll be the key to getting up there on that stage in no time!
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 3 June 2025
Adding more berries, apples or cups of tea to your daily routine could be the key to living healthier—and for longer.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for key to
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Mindi Cox, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Positioning in an accessible luxury space will be key to the new owners’ strategy.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 3 June 2025
Think of festival involvement as part of a longer-term relationship rather than a one-off opportunity and that’ll be the key to getting up there on that stage in no time!
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 3 June 2025
Adding more berries, apples or cups of tea to your daily routine could be the key to living healthier—and for longer.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for key to
Cite this Entry
“Key to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/key%20to. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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