Meaning & use
key box
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A small locked container used to store keys safely, often attached to a wall or door.
Grammar: Countable: one key box, two key boxes.
Patterns
- a key box for something
- keep something in a key box
The office keeps a spare key box near the entrance.
She hung a key box on the wall to organize her keys.
The key box was locked, so we couldn't get the car keys.
nouncountable
A secure box with a code or lock used by estate agents or homeowners to let visitors access a property.
Grammar: Often used in real estate contexts.
Patterns
- key box on the door
- use a key box
The estate agent put a key box on the front door for viewings.
You can open the key box with a combination code.
The key box allows cleaners to enter without a key.
Word forms
| plural | key boxes |
|---|
Common combinations
- key box with a lock
- We bought a key box with a lock for the garden shed.
- wall-mounted key box
- A wall-mounted key box keeps keys out of reach.
- combination key box
- The combination key box is easy to reset.
- put keys in a key box
- Always put the keys in the key box after use.
Synonyms and how they differ
- key safe
- Similar, but often refers to a stronger, more secure box for outdoor use.
- lockbox
- A general term for a locked box, not only for keys.
Word family
Practice
Where would you typically find a key box?
Choose one answer.
A key box is usually mounted on a wall or door for easy access. The other options are places for keys but not where a key box is typically placed.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “key box”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.