KEYNOTE

keynote

(noun) a fundamental or central idea

tonic, keynote

(noun) (music) the first note of a diatonic scale

keynote

(noun) the principal theme in a speech or literary work

keynote

(verb) set the keynote of; “Comfort keynotes this designer’s Fall collection”

keynote

(verb) give the keynote address to (an audience)

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

keynote (plural keynotes)

(music) The note on which a musical key is based; the tonic.

The main theme of a speech, a written work, or a conference.

A speech that sets the main theme of a conference or other gathering; a keynote speech or keynote address.

Verb

keynote (third-person singular simple present keynotes, present participle keynoting, simple past and past participle keynoted)

(transitive) To deliver a speech that sets the main theme of a conference or other gathering.

Source: Wiktionary


Key"note`, n.

1. (Mus.)

Definition: The tonic or first tone of the scale in which a piece or passage is written; the fundamental tone of the chord, to which all the modulations of the piece are referred; -- called also key tone.

2. The fundamental fact or idea; that which gives the key; as, the keynote of a policy or a sermon.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

31 March 2025

IMPROVISED

(adjective) done or made using whatever is available; “crossed the river on improvised bridges”; “the survivors used jury-rigged fishing gear”; “the rock served as a makeshift hammer”


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