Hotkey: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used in the context of gaming or specialized software to refer to keys that quickly perform specific actions.

• You can assign a hotkey to quickly switch between weapons in the game.
• The software allows you to set a hotkey for launching frequently used commands.

Often used interchangeably with 'keyboard shortcut,' but may be found more in instructional materials or technical documentation to emphasize the idea of a single key or combination of keys doing a particular task.

• The user manual provides a list of all the shortcut keys for the application.
• You can customize the shortcut keys to enhance your workflow.

Commonly used in general computer usage and productivity software like word processors, browsers, and email clients to describe key combinations that execute commands quickly.

• Ctrl+C is a common keyboard shortcut for copying text.
• Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+S to save your document.