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keycap

American  
[kee-kap] / ˈkiˌkæp /
Or key cap

noun

  1. one of a set of covers for the individual keys on a computer keyboard, used decoratively or for some other purpose in place of those supplied by the manufacturer.

    What better way to spiff up your mechanical keyboard than to get a brand-new set of keycaps?

  2. a cover for the head or wide top portion of the key to a lock, making the key easier to identify and to grip while turning in the lock.

    Our 4-pack of vinyl key caps includes one each in a variety of colors—for home, office, shed, or anything else you lock.


Etymology

Origin of keycap

First recorded in 1900–05, referring to typewriter keys

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The keyboard’s switches are south-facing — oriented with the backlight LED on the bottom, rather than the top— to minimize keycap compatibility issues.

From The Verge • Aug. 30, 2022

A little under a year after Drop released a pair of keycap sets themed around the Elvish and Dwarvish languages from J.R.R.

From The Verge • Aug. 16, 2022

The third group includes people who replaced a keycap but not the entire topcase.

From New York Times • Jul. 20, 2022

It’s similar enough that Drop expects some GMK keycap designs to be converted to use DCX in the future.

From The Verge • Apr. 26, 2022

Their keycaps are made of thick, high-quality plastic, and they use a double-shot process to create their keycap lettering.

From The Verge • Apr. 26, 2022