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

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This Season Any home baker knows that the key to keeping pastries soft and icing spreadable is to tuck your sweets into their own container. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2026 The Athletic reported that the relationship between Villa chairman Nassef Sawiris and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was seen as key to closing the deal. The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026 The company said transparency in fulfillment is key to locking on sales during the holiday season and building customer loyalty. Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 Winter, spring, summer, or fall, Gomez knows the key to styling a single-toned look is mixing textures. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for key to

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Cite this Entry

“Key to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/key%20to. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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