noun
Common
kay
kay
Kay (noun) means the name of the letter K. Example: “The word begins with a kay, as in kitchen.”
noun
1
The name of the letter K.
"The word begins with a kay, as in kitchen."
"In the alphabet, kay comes just before ell."
"Her monogram is a single kay stitched onto the towel."
2
Informal shorthand for a kilometer or for a thousand of something.
"The charity race is just five kay, so beginners can join."
"We cycled twelve kay along the river before stopping for lunch."
"He runs ten kay every morning before work."
intj
1
A casual, clipped form of "okay."
"Kay, I'll meet you outside the cinema in ten minutes."
""Kay, thanks," he mumbled, still looking at his phone."
""Kay, see you at six," she texted back."
name
1
A given name, used for both men and women — as a male name of Welsh origin, and as a short form of female names like Katherine.
"Kay volunteered to drive everyone to the airport."
How to use kay
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe letter K, informal slang for "okay" or "thousand/kilometer," and also a given name.
Common pairings
5 kay
just kay
kay for short
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like kay.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- kays
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The word begins with a _____, as in kitchen.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for kay
See all rhymes for kay →Frequently asked questions
What does “kay” mean?
The word “kay” means the name of the letter K. In plain terms, the letter K, informal slang for "okay" or "thousand/kilometer," and also a given name.
How do you pronounce “kay”?
“Kay” is pronounced kay (/keɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “kay” in a sentence?
Here is “kay” used in a sentence: “Her monogram is a single kay stitched onto the towel.”
What part of speech is “kay”?
Depending on how it is used, “kay” can be a noun, an intj and a name.
Is “kay” a common word?
“Kay” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “kay” have?
“Kay” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the name of the letter K.
What is the difference between "kay" and the letter "K"?
"Kay" is the spelled-out name of the letter K, used when writing the sound of the letter as a word. The letter itself is written "K" or "k," while "kay" represents how you say it aloud.
Does "kay" mean a kilometre or a thousand?
"Kay" can mean either, depending on context. It is informal shorthand for a kilometre (from the "k" in km) and also for a thousand of something, as in "30 kay" for 30,000. The surrounding topic, such as distance or money, usually makes the meaning clear.
Is "kay" the same as "okay"?
As an interjection, "kay" is a casual, clipped form of "okay," often written "'kay" in texts and dialogue. It carries the same meaning of agreement but sounds more offhand and informal.
Is Kay a male or female name?
Kay is used for both. As a male name it has Welsh origins, while as a female name it is often a short form of names like Katherine.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include kay:
