key signature

noun

An indication of the key of a composition, giving the number of sharps or flats in the corresponding scale.

“The key signatures of D major and b minor both have two sharps.”

Similar
signature
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Meanings

nounkey signature (plural key signatures)

plural key signatures

  1. entertainmentAn indication of the key of a composition, giving the number of sharps or flats in the corresponding scale.

    The key signatures of D major and b minor both have two sharps.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounthe sharps or flats that follow the clef and indicate the key

Similar
signature
Broader
musical notation
Also see
signature

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Translations

Catalan armadura
  • armaduraindication of the key of a composition
Chinese Mandarin 調號 /调号
  • 調號 /调号 (diàohào)indication of the key of a composition
Czech předznamenání
  • předznamenáníindication of the key of a composition
Estonian võtmemärk
  • võtmemärkindication of the key of a composition
Finnish sävellajin etumerkintä, etumerkintä
  • sävellajin etumerkintäindication of the key of a composition
  • etumerkintäindication of the key of a composition
French armure, armature
  • armureindication of the key of a composition
  • armatureindication of the key of a composition
German Vorzeichnung
  • Vorzeichnungindication of the key of a composition
Greek οπλισμός
  • οπλισμός (oplismós)indication of the key of a composition
Hungarian előjegyzés
  • előjegyzésindication of the key of a composition
Polish znak przykluczowy
  • znak przykluczowyindication of the key of a composition
Spanish armadura de clave, armadura de tonalidad
  • armadura de claveindication of the key of a composition
  • armadura de tonalidadindication of the key of a composition
Swedish förtecken
  • förteckenindication of the key of a composition
Welsh arwydd cywair
  • arwydd cywairindication of the key of a composition
Cite this entry
APA

key signature. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/key%20signature

MLA

“key signature.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/key%20signature. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “key signature,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/key%20signature.

Source: key signature on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.