ENGLISH
REFERENCE

Public Key

idiom
Meaning

A cryptographic key that can be shared with others to receive funds or verify signatures.


Origin

Coined as the opposite of a private key; public because it can be shared openly.

Examples
SIMPLE

Send me your public key so I can transfer the funds.

CONTEXTUAL

She published her public key so that clients could verify the signature on each message.

COMPLEX

A public key is derived from the private key through one-way cryptography, so sharing it reveals nothing about the secret that controls the wallet.

Last updated July 19, 2026