skeleton key

American

noun

a key with nearly the whole substance of the bit filed away so that it may open various locks.

skeleton key British

noun

Also called: passkey. a key with the serrated edge filed down so that it can open numerous locks

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of skeleton key

First recorded in 1800–10

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.

See Examples For:

skeleton key

“Megadoc” is not exactly a skeleton key for understanding “Megalopolis,” but it is useful and insightful, full of scenes of conflict followed by resolution, understanding emerging from confusion.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2025

His latest film is a skeleton key that unlocks the answers, Sam Adams writes.

From Slate ● Jun. 30, 2023

Those looking for a felt skeleton key to unlock his various idiosyncrasies aren’t likely to find one.

From New York Times ● Mar. 11, 2023

The two hand-delivered the resolution to the city government in Novorossiysk along with a symbolic large golden skeleton key.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 18, 2022

“And that being the case, it should be no surprise that it does not understand the secret language. The skeleton key does not fit.”

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023