keyboard
Keyboard (noun) means the set of keys used to type on a computer or typewriter. Example: “He spilled coffee on his laptop keyboard.”
How to Use Keyboard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe row(s) of keys you type or play music on, or the instrument itself.
Word Forms
keyboarded past tense, keyboards plural, keyboards singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
He spilled coffee on his laptop _____.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of "key" and "board" — literally a board fitted with keys.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for keyboard
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “keyboard” mean?
The word “keyboard” means the set of keys used to type on a computer or typewriter. In plain terms, the row(s) of keys you type or play music on, or the instrument itself.
How do you pronounce “keyboard”?
“Keyboard” is pronounced KEE-bawd (/ˈki.bɔɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “keyboard” in a sentence?
Here is “keyboard” used in a sentence: “He spilled coffee on his laptop keyboard.”
What part of speech is “keyboard”?
Depending on how it is used, “keyboard” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “keyboard” a common word?
“Keyboard” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “keyboard” have?
“Keyboard” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the set of keys used to type on a computer or typewriter.
What is the difference between a keyboard and a piano?
A piano is an acoustic instrument that makes sound with hammers striking strings, while a keyboard is typically an electronic instrument that produces or samples sounds and is lighter and more portable. In this sense a keyboard imitates a piano and often many other instruments too.
What is the difference between a keyboard and a synthesizer?
A keyboard broadly means any instrument played with piano-style keys, while a synthesizer specifically generates and shapes electronic sounds. Many keyboards include a synthesizer, but not every keyboard is a full synthesizer.
What is the difference between a keyboard and a keypad?
A keyboard is the full set of keys used to type letters, numbers, and commands, whereas a keypad is a smaller set of keys, often just numbers, such as on a calculator or phone. A keypad usually forms part of, or supplements, a keyboard.