skeleton key
noun
plural skeleton keys
: a key with a large part of the bit filed away to enable it to open low quality locks as a master key
called also passkey
Examples of skeleton key in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Richardson moved into the starting lineup in early February and became the skeleton key of a team with very real Final Four dreams.
—
Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Today, Brown carries the ring of skeleton keys that unlock the doors of Oakley Grove house as the owner.
—Krista Stevens, Longreads, 4 Dec. 2024
Mounk pointed to this decline in trust as a sort of skeleton key for understanding the Trump vibe shift.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Art and music and film and dance and so many other pieces of work where people just put their blood and guts into it, those things have been skeleton keys for me.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 19 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skeleton key
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Today, Brown carries the ring of skeleton keys that unlock the doors of Oakley Grove house as the owner.
—Krista Stevens, Longreads, 4 Dec. 2024
Mounk pointed to this decline in trust as a sort of skeleton key for understanding the Trump vibe shift.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Art and music and film and dance and so many other pieces of work where people just put their blood and guts into it, those things have been skeleton keys for me.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 19 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skeleton key
Cite this Entry
“Skeleton key.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skeleton%20key. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share