French · Daily Life
cle
key
Beginnernoun · f
Definition
A small metal instrument used to open a lock.
Example
J'ai perdu ma cle de voiture.
I lost my car key.
Etymology
'Clé' comes from the Latin 'clavis', meaning a key or latch, and has retained a similar form throughout its history in various Romance languages.
How & Where It’s Used
'Clé' is used both formally and informally, in spoken and written contexts, to refer to literal keys or metaphorical keys (such as solutions or answers).