latchkey
pronunciation
How to pronounce latchkey in British English:
UK [ˈlætʃki:]
How to pronounce latchkey in American English:
US [ˈlætʃˌki]
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- Noun:
- key for raising or drawing back a latch or opening an outside door
Word Origin
- latchkey
- also latch-key, 1825, a key to draw back the latch of a door, from latch (n.) + key (n.1). Latchkey child first recorded 1944, American English, in reference to children who come home from school while both parents are at work.
Example
- 1. Latchkey children who were interviewed reported diverse reactions .
- 2. The problem of latchkey children .
- 3. The effects of being a latchkey child differ with age .
- 4. The phenomenon of latchkey children is widespread in our society .
- 5. Were you once a latchkey child ? What did you do after school ?