key ring

IPA/ˈkiː rɪŋ/
IPA/ˈkiː rɪŋ/

key ring — noun

1. a small ring, usually made of metal, that you slide keys onto so they all stay t

1.nounB1
Definition

a small ring, usually made of metal, that you slide keys onto so they all stay together in one place

Example

Imran attached the new office key to his key ring before leaving for work.

collocation: attach [key] to a key ring

Eshe's key ring held five keys, a small torch, and a photo of her daughter.

key ring as container: held + [items]

Common collocations
  • attach to a key ring
  • add to a key ring
  • remove from a key ring
  • on a key ring
Synonyms
  • keychain

    a keychain usually includes a decorative strap or holder; a key ring is only the metal loop

  • split ring

    more technical term; describes the coiled-wire mechanism specifically

Common Mistakes

I bought a leather key ring' (when you mean the whole key holder with decoration).
I bought a leather keychain.
a key ring is just the metal ring part; a keychain includes the ring plus any strap, charm, or holder attached to it.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A key ring is the simple metal loop that holds your keys together. A keychain (also spelled key chain) is the broader term — it includes the key ring plus any attached strap, charm, bottle opener, or decorative holder. When someone says 'I got a new keychain,' they usually mean the decorative part, not just the ring. A split ring is the technical name for the coiled-wire design that lets you slide keys on and off; hardware shops and craft suppliers use this term. A key fob is a small ornament or electronic device attached to a key ring, often used for car remotes or security tokens — it is never the ring itself. Example: 'Rania picked up a leather keychain with a built-in torch, then added it to her key ring next to the car key fob.'

keychainsplit ringkey fob

Common collocations

Nouns

  • key ring holder
  • key ring charm
  • key ring attachment

Phrases

  • a set of keys on a key ring
  • slide a key onto a key ring

Prepositions

  • on a key ring
  • onto a key ring
  • from a key ring
  • off a key ring

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Formed from the common nouns key (from Old English cæg, meaning an instrument for opening locks) and ring (from Old English hring, a circular band). The compound 'key ring' appeared in the mid-19th century, around the time when mass-produced metal split rings made it easy to keep multiple keys together in one portable bundle.