Phrase guide

butterfly keyboard

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A kind of computer keyboard consisting of two separate halves, intended to facilitate typing with two hands.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A kind of computer keyboard where each key is activated by means of a scissor switch.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

* (keyboard with separate halves): From the resemblance to a butterfly with outstretched wings. * (keyboard with scissor switches): From the approximate resemblance of each (X-shaped) switch to a butterfly.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: perhosnäppäimistö — type of computer keyboard