keyword

/ˈkiːwɜːd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkiːwɜːrd/ (ame, ipa)

keyword — noun

  • keywordsingular
  • keywordsplural

1. A word or short phrase entered into a search website or database so the system c

1.名詞A2
釋義

A word or short phrase entered into a search website or database so the system can find related content — for instance, typing "vegan ramen" into Google to see recipe results.

例句

Eitan typed "best hiking trails in Taiwan" as a keyword and found several useful websites.

keyword followed by full search phrase in quotes

To find academic papers, use specific keywords like "climate change" and "coral reefs" together.

collocation: use specific keywords

同義詞
  • search term

    more specific to what a user actually types into a search box

  • query

    more technical; often refers to a full question or longer input sent to a database

文法句型

the keyword(s) for/in + [field]

keyword + noun (keyword search)

用法筆記

This sense is associated with digital search and information retrieval. The plural form keywords is extremely common when referring to multiple search terms. Keyword can also be used as a modifier in compounds such as keyword search, keyword tool, or keyword research.

常見錯誤

❌Please keyword these documents so we can find them.
✅Please add keywords to these documents so we can find them.
💡'keyword' is a noun in standard English, not a verb.
❌I forgot my keyword for the login page.
✅I forgot my password for the login page.
💡'keyword' is a search term; 'password' is a secret code used to access an account.

2. An idea or term that is central to understanding a particular topic, discussion,

2.名詞B2
釋義

An idea or term that is central to understanding a particular topic, discussion, or field of study — for example, "photosynthesis" is a keyword in biology classes.

例句

In the team meeting, "sustainability" was the keyword that appeared in every discussion.

metaphorical: the keyword that appeared in every discussion

Students must understand the keywords of each chapter before the exam.

collocation: understand the keywords of [a chapter]

同義詞
  • key concept

    clearer synonym in academic contexts; less metaphorical

  • watchword

    more formal and political; implies a guiding principle

  • central idea

    broader; can be a full concept, not just a single word

文法句型

the keyword in + [context]

X is a keyword in Y

用法筆記

This sense is often used metaphorically to identify the most important word or idea in a situation. It frequently appears in the pattern the keyword is + noun (e.g., 'the keyword is patience') to emphasise a central theme. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 refers to a concrete search term entered into a computer, while sense 2 refers to an abstract concept that is central to understanding a subject.

常見錯誤

❌The keyword to success is hard work.
✅The key to success is hard work.
💡'keyword' refers to a term or concept, not the solution or most important factor; use 'key' (noun) for that meaning.