Hotkeys: meaning, definitions and examples

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hotkeys

[ ˈhɒtˌkiː ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

computer shortcuts

Hotkeys are combinations of one or more keys that, when pressed simultaneously, perform a specific function within a software application or operating system. Hotkeys are designed to improve efficiency and productivity by allowing users to quickly access commonly used features or commands.

Synonyms

keyboard shortcuts, shortcut keys.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hotkeys	Informally or casually referring to any keys on a keyboard set up for quick access to certain functions. Often used in gaming or software discussions. You can set up hotkeys for your favorite actions in the game. Are there any hotkeys for copy and paste?
shortcut keys	A slightly less technical term than 'keyboard shortcuts', often used interchangeably but can be found in less formal instructions or conversations. Do you know any shortcut keys for this program? I use shortcut keys to speed up my work.
keyboard shortcuts	A more formal and technical term for predefined keys or combinations of keys designed to perform quick tasks. Common in user manuals, tutorials, and instructional documents. For efficiency, learn the keyboard shortcuts in this software. Keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time.

Word

Description / Examples

hotkeys

Informally or casually referring to any keys on a keyboard set up for quick access to certain functions. Often used in gaming or software discussions.

You can set up hotkeys for your favorite actions in the game.
Are there any hotkeys for copy and paste?

shortcut keys

A slightly less technical term than 'keyboard shortcuts', often used interchangeably but can be found in less formal instructions or conversations.

Do you know any shortcut keys for this program?
I use shortcut keys to speed up my work.

keyboard shortcuts

A more formal and technical term for predefined keys or combinations of keys designed to perform quick tasks. Common in user manuals, tutorials, and instructional documents.

For efficiency, learn the keyboard shortcuts in this software.
Keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time.

Examples of usage

Pressing Ctrl + C to copy text is a common hotkey in many applications.
Using Alt + Tab to switch between open windows is another useful hotkey shortcut.

Translations

Translations of the word "hotkeys" in other languages:

🇵🇹 teclas de atalho

🇮🇳 शॉर्टकट कुंजियाँ

🇩🇪 Tastenkombinationen

🇮🇩 tombol pintas

🇺🇦 гарячі клавіші

🇵🇱 skróty klawiszowe

🇯🇵 ホットキー

🇫🇷 raccourcis clavier

🇪🇸 teclas de acceso rápido

🇹🇷 kısayol tuşları

🇰🇷 단축키

🇸🇦 مفاتيح الاختصار

🇨🇿 klávesové zkratky

🇸🇰 klávesové skratky

🇨🇳 快捷键

🇸🇮 bližnjice na tipkovnici

🇮🇸 flýtilyklar

🇰🇿 қысқа пернелер

🇬🇪 ხარისხიანი კლავიშები

🇦🇿 qısa düymələr

🇲🇽 teclas de acceso rápido

Etymology

The term 'hotkey' originated in the 1970s from the combination of 'hot' (meaning easily accessible or activated) and 'key'. Hotkeys became popular with the rise of personal computers and have since become an integral part of user interface design.

See also: key, keyboard, keyhole, keying, keylogger, keynote, keypad, keys, keystone, keyway, keyword.