in key

Idioms  

1. In harmony with other factors, in a matching style, as in This furniture is perfectly in key with the overall design. This term uses key in the musical sense, that is, “a scheme of notes related to one another.” The antonym, out of key, means “not in harmony with other factors,” or “unsuitable,” as in He is out of key with his time. [c. 1900]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in key

Alphabet Chief Financial Officer Anat Ashkenazi said the technology company expects to continue hiring in key investment areas such as AI and cloud computing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

It is not the first time England have been accused of becoming too defensive in key games.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

As heavier dark matter particles accumulate in key regions, dark matter substructures become more effective at magnifying the light from distant background galaxies.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 14, 2026

Debra Duardo noted that an independent evaluation team credited the district with meeting 153 standards in key areas: student achievement; community relations and governance; and management of finances, personnel and facilities.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026

Mr. Muhammad’s eight children now were all deeply involved in key capacities in the Nation of Islam.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey