keynote

An important speech that introduces the main subject of a conference or meeting.

• Her keynote opened the conference.
• We invited a scientist to deliver the keynote.
• Did you enjoy yesterday’s keynote on education?

Similar words: keynote speech, keynote address

Common phrases: opening keynote, deliver a keynote, keynote address

The main idea or feeling running through a speech, book, or event.

• Trust is the keynote of his book.
• Optimism remained the keynote throughout the conference.
• Her latest speech struck a keynote of national unity.

How to use it: keynote of something (Hope was the keynote of her speech.)

Similar words: theme, central idea

Common phrases: keynote of something, optimistic keynote, central keynote

The main note that a piece of music’s key is based on.

• The melody returns to the keynote.
• Can you sing the keynote of this scale?
• The final chord firmly establishes D as the keynote.

How to use it: keynote of something (C is the keynote of this scale.)

Similar words: tonic

Common phrases: keynote of something, return to keynote, keynote C

To give the main speech at a conference or meeting.

• She will keynote the conference.
• A local teacher keynoted our annual meeting.
• Who is going to keynote next year’s summit?

Common phrases: keynote a conference, keynote a summit, keynote an event