Phrase guide

escape key

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.

  • ĭ-skāp′ kē
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ɪˈskeɪp kiː/
  • Canada, General-American: /ɪˈskeɪp ki/
  • Australian: /ɪˈskæɪp kiː/
  • New-Zealand: /əˈskæɪp kiː/
  • Scotland: /ɪˈskep ki/
  • India: /iˈskeːjp kiː/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A key on a computer keyboard that can be used to cancel an operation.

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

Alternative form of Esc key.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative, countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 退出鍵 /退出键 (tuìchūjiàn) — key on a personal computer
  • Chinese Mandarin: 逸出鍵 /逸出键 (yìchūjiàn) — key on a personal computer
  • Finnish: poistumisnäppäin — key on a personal computer
  • Finnish: esc-näppäin — key on a personal computer
  • Japanese: エスケープキー (esukēpu kī) — key on a personal computer
  • Japanese: エスケープ (esukēpu) — key on a personal computer
  • Korean: 이스케이프 키 (iseukeipeu ki) — key on a personal computer
  • Korean: 이스케이프 (iseukeipeu) — key on a personal computer
  • Russian: эске́йп (eskéjp) — key on a personal computer
  • Russian: кла́виша эске́йп (kláviša eskéjp) — key on a personal computer
  • Vietnamese: phím thoát — key on a personal computer