Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

skeleton key

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.78 in modern English

Syllables
skele-ton key
IPA
22
Scrabble Score
11
Letters
2
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A very simple design of key that usually has a cylindrical shaft (sometimes called a "shank") and a single, minimal flat, rectangular tooth or "bit".

noun

A key that has parts filed away so that it will open a range of locks.

noun

A master key.

noun

A key (A crucial step or requirement) or (An idea, theory or observation that explains, justifies or renders (something) comprehensible).

Example Sentences

Inflected Forms

skeleton keys (plural)

Frequently Paired Words

passkey

Questions

What does skeleton key mean?
A very simple design of key that usually has a cylindrical shaft (sometimes called a "shank") and a single, minimal flat, rectangular tooth or "bit".

How to pronounce skeleton key

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “skeleton key”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “skeleton key”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “skeleton key” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.