skeleton key

Save This Word!

See synonyms for skeleton key on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"

"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also called passkey.

Origin of skeleton key

First recorded in 1800–10

Words nearby skeleton key

skeletal traction, skeleton, skeleton car, skeleton in the closet, skeletonize, skeleton key, skelf, skelic index, skell, skellum, skelly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use skeleton key in a sentence

Getting men to do their share of care and domestic work is a key overlooked strategy in reducing poverty.
How Good Dads Can Change the World|Gary Barker, PhD, Michael Kaufman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
By contrast, Solomon can tell us a great deal about what really changed the country—because at key moments, he was there.
The Real Story Behind the Fight for Marriage Equality|E.J. Graff|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The second lesson is that no one writing before the twentieth century holds a key to our problems.
American Democracy Under Threat for 250 Years|Jedediah Purdy|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As with so many things, keeping screen time in moderate amounts seems key.
Yes, Your Toddler Can Watch TV: The New Rules for Screen Time|Russell Saunders|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The opposition responded with a month-long Occupy Abay (like Occupy Wall St) campaign, in which Udaltsov was one of key figures.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015|Movements.Org|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mr. Jones swung round a large iron key he held in his hand, and light dawned upon him.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
Mr. Collingwood, taking the key from his mother, locked the little door in the boarding, after them.
The Boarded-Up House|Augusta Huiell Seaman
About her neck was hung a covered basket and a door-key; and Davy at once concluded that she was Sindbad's house-keeper.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
The girl smiled, and drew out a large key, and nodded, still smiling as she replaced it.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
The friends were standing close to the wall; but on these sounds they moved away; and a key presently turned in the door.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter

British Dictionary definitions for skeleton key

skeleton key

noun

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

Word Origin for skeleton key

C19: so called because it has been reduced to its essential parts

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

skeleton key

Origin of skeleton key

Words nearby skeleton key

Words related to skeleton key

How to use skeleton key in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for skeleton key

Word Origin for skeleton key