Meaning & use
keyboard
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Meanings
nouncountable
The set of keys on a computer or typewriter that you press to enter text or commands.
Grammar: Countable: a keyboard, two keyboards.
Patterns
- on the keyboard
- type on a keyboard
- a computer keyboard
My keyboard is dirty and some keys stick.
She spilled coffee on her keyboard and had to buy a new one.
You can connect a wireless keyboard to your tablet.
nouncountable
The row or set of black and white keys on a piano, organ, or similar instrument.
Grammar: Countable: a keyboard, the keyboards.
Patterns
- piano keyboard
- on the keyboard
- play the keyboard
The piano has a full-size keyboard with 88 keys.
He ran his fingers over the keyboard of the old organ.
The keyboard on this synthesizer is touch-sensitive.
nouncountable
An electronic musical instrument with keys, often used in pop and rock music.
Grammar: Countable: a keyboard, two keyboards.
Patterns
- play the keyboard
- electronic keyboard
- keyboard player
She plays keyboards in a rock band.
He bought a new electronic keyboard for his home studio.
The band's sound features a lot of keyboard.
Word forms
| plural | keyboards |
|---|
Common combinations
- computer keyboard
- I need a new computer keyboard because some keys don't work.
- type on a keyboard
- He types very fast on a keyboard.
- piano keyboard
- The piano keyboard has a familiar layout.
- keyboard shortcut
- Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C to copy.
- wireless keyboard
- A wireless keyboard is convenient for presentations.
Synonyms and how they differ
- keypad
- A keypad is a small set of keys, often for numbers, while a keyboard is larger and used for typing text.
- console
- A console can mean a keyboard and screen unit, especially in music or computing; keyboard is the more general term.
Word family
- keyboarder noun
- A person who uses a keyboard, especially as a job.
- keyboardist noun
- A musician who plays a keyboard instrument.
Commonly confused: keyboard or keypad?
keyboard vs keypad
A keypad is a small set of keys, like on a phone or calculator; a keyboard is the full set for typing.
Practice
She spilled water on her ______ and now some keys don't work.
Choose one answer.
A keyboard is the device with keys for typing; spilling water on it would affect the keys. A keypad is too small, a console is a different device, and a mouse has no keys.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “keyboard”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.