keynote
/ˈkiːnəʊt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkiːnəʊt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkē-ˌnōt/ (ame, mw)
keynote — noun
- keynotesingular
- keynotesplural
1. the main idea or message that runs through a speech, book, or event, giving it a
the main idea or message that runs through a speech, book, or event, giving it a clear focus and direction
Élise opened with a short story that introduced the keynote of the entire conference.
keynote of [event] as central theme
The keynote of the speech on climate change was the urgent need for local action.
the keynote of [speech/document]
When asked what united their policies, the party leaders said fairness was the keynote.
Community service was identified as the keynote of the school's new education programme.
Freedom and responsibility together formed the keynote that ran through every chapter of the book.
- theme
more general; keynote suggests the single most important or defining idea
- core
focuses on the essential centre of something rather than its guiding idea
- gist
refers to the general meaning rather than a central principle or mood
- main thread
emphasises continuity through a piece of writing or speech
- aside
a remark that is off the main topic
- digression
a temporary move away from the main subject
文法句型
the keynote of [something]
用法筆記
This sense is almost always singular and used with the definite article the or a possessive determiner.
常見錯誤
2. in music, the starting note of a scale from which the scale's key takes its name
in music, the starting note of a scale from which the scale's key takes its name
In C major, the keynote is C and all other notes relate back to it.
Yuna practised identifying the keynote of each scale before playing the full set of notes.
identifying the keynote of each scale
A piece that finishes firmly on its keynote sounds complete and resolved to the listener.
The teacher asked Bao to play G major and hold the keynote for four beats.
- tonic
the technical term for the keynote; more common in formal music theory
- fundamental
used for the lowest note of a chord rather than the tonal centre of a key
文法句型
the keynote of [a scale]
用法筆記
Also called the tonic. In Western music theory, the keynote is the tonal centre of a piece — the note that feels like 'home.' This sense is mainly found in music education and theory contexts.
3. the most important speech at a conference or formal gathering, which establishes
the most important speech at a conference or formal gathering, which establishes the main topic and sets the tone for the event
Professor Renata Okonkwo will deliver the keynote at the international education summit next week.
deliver the keynote — most common verb collocation
The organisers chose a Nobel laureate to give the keynote address on the opening morning.
keynote address as attributive noun
Hundreds of delegates arrived early to hear the keynote, which was streamed live online.
Christopher's keynote lasted forty minutes and was followed by a lively question-and-answer session.
A strong keynote can shape the direction of a conference and keep speakers on topic.
- keynote address
full form; more formal than keynote alone
- opening address
focuses on timing (first speech) rather than importance or theme-setting
- plenary talk
a talk given to the whole conference audience, not necessarily the most important one
文法句型
keynote speech
keynote address
give a keynote
用法筆記
Often used as an attributive noun before address or speech (keynote address, keynote speech). The verb give or deliver is the most common collocation.
常見錯誤
keynote — verb
- keynotepresent simple I / you / we / they
- keynotes3rd person singular
- keynoting-ing form
- keynotedpast simple
1. to give the main speech at a conference or formal event, setting its central the
to give the main speech at a conference or formal event, setting its central theme
Faisal has been invited to keynote the annual design conference in Taipei this autumn.
keynote [event] — direct object is the event
The software company paid a well-known author to keynote their product launch event.
Obi will keynote the opening session of the youth leadership forum tomorrow morning.
Last year Dr. Anong Siriwong keynoted a major medical symposium in Bangkok.
文法句型
keynote + [event]
用法筆記
This verb takes the event (conference, forum, summit, etc.) as its direct object. To specify an audience, a prepositional phrase with to or for is added: keynote a conference for investors.
常見錯誤
2. to establish the main character, mood, or guiding principle of an activity, disc
to establish the main character, mood, or guiding principle of an activity, discussion, or period
The chancellor's speech keynoted a new era of economic reform and international cooperation.
keynote [period/era] — abstract object
Ziad's opening remarks keynoted the entire negotiation process with a spirit of mutual respect.
A single bold design choice can keynote the visual identity of an entire branding campaign.
The head teacher's decision to listen to every concern keynoted a more open school culture.
- set the tone for
more common in everyday English; the phrasal equivalent of this sense
- characterise
describes what something is like, but does not imply that it shapes what comes later
- define
stronger; suggests creating clear boundaries rather than establishing a mood
文法句型
keynote + [noun phrase]
用法筆記
This is a formal, literary sense. The subject is usually an event, a statement, or a decision that shapes what follows. The verb is typically used in the active voice with an abstract object (era, campaign, approach, discussion).