Key
What it means
Having a decisive or especially important role in a result.
Reach for it when identifying a factor that materially affects success
Clear ownership was key to finishing the repairs before winter.
Words to choose between 7
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
-
everyday
central
Fits when the element sits at the heart of the explanation
Careful Central concerns focus, not necessarily practical impact.
-
everyday
Fits when success is impossible without the thing named
Careful Essential is absolute; key can allow several important contributors.
-
warm
Fits when importance is urgent and tied to wellbeing
Careful Vital sounds excessive for a replaceable contribution.
-
professional
Fits when one choice changes the direction of events
Careful Pivotal fits turning points better than a steady requirement.
-
professional
Fits when importance comes from advancing a wider plan
Careful Strategic positioning does not make something inherently key.
-
formal
crucial
Fits when the matter may decide success or failure
Careful Crucial raises the stakes beyond something merely influential.
-
formal
Fits when no substitute could serve the same function
Careful Use it only when the subject truly cannot be replaced.
Opposites 3
- minor
- irrelevant
- optional
Common phrases 3
-
key role
Local nurses played a key role in designing the clinic route.
-
key insight
One key insight helped the group simplify the entire process.
-
key ingredient
Patience was the key ingredient in rebuilding trust.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated