Meaning & use
key fobs
Last updated
“key fobs” is a form of “key fob”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Small electronic devices that unlock doors or cars when pressed or held near a sensor.
Grammar: Plural form: the key fobs are on the table. The singular is key fob.
Patterns
- key fobs for something
- use key fobs to do something
All residents received key fobs for the main entrance.
The office replaced its keys with key fobs last spring.
Both key fobs stopped working after the batteries died.
nounplural
Small decorative objects or tags attached to a key ring to make keys easy to find.
Grammar: Plural; this sense is usually non-electronic, like a leather tag.
Patterns
- key fobs with something
The shop sells leather key fobs with initials stamped on them.
She hung two cheerful key fobs on the hook by the door.
Wooden key fobs help guests find the right room key quickly.
Common combinations
- programmable key fobs
- Programmable key fobs can be reset by the manager.
- remote key fobs
- Remote key fobs let you lock the car from a distance.
- spare key fobs
- We keep spare key fobs in the drawer.
- lost key fobs
- Lost key fobs must be reported to the office.
- replace the key fobs
- The company will replace the key fobs every two years.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fobs
- Fobs is a shorter form that works in context, though by itself it may be unclear.
- remotes
- Remotes is looser and can mean any remote control, while key fobs is specific to locking and unlocking.
- keyless entry devices
- Keyless entry devices is a longer, more technical name for the electronic type.
- key tags
- Key tags are plain labels hung on keys, and may have no electronics inside.
Word family
Commonly confused: key fobs or keyboards?
key fobs vs keyboards
Keyboards have rows of keys for typing, whereas key fobs are small tags or devices for locks.
Practice
The residents tapped their ______ on the panel to open the gate.
Choose one answer.
The plural noun matches 'their' and the plural 'residents'. 'Key fob' is singular, and keyboards are not used to open gates.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “key fobs”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.