Key
Key adjective - Coming before all others in importance.
Usage example: maintains that Sir Isaac Newton remains the key figure in physical science
Main is a synonym for key in essential topic. In some cases you can use "Main" instead the word "Key" as an adjective or a noun, when it comes to topics like principal, important, supreme, crucial. popular alternative
Main
Main adjective - Coming before all others in importance.
Usage example: this is the main point of the study—everything else is secondary
Key is a synonym for main in principal topic. You can use "Key" instead the word "Main" as an adjective or a noun, if it concerns topics such as important, supreme, fundamental, basic. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
- Gameplay is similar to the main series, but with the addition of slide notes, where the player slides from one key to off to the side or to another key.
Source: Video Game / DJMAX - In Kingdom Hearts, the main weapon featured in the series, wielded by many major characters, and all main playable ones, is a giant magical key that they hit people with.
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Personal Effects Reveal: The eponymous key is found in one of the main character dead patient's personal belongings.
Source: Film / The Skeleton Key
Cite this Source
Main and Key. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/key/main
Key & Main. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/key/main>.
Main or Key. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/key/main.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "key" and "main" have occurred on timeline