AltGr is a term used to refer to a specific key on a computer keyboard. The spelling of AltGr is quite straightforward, with each letter pronounced distinctly. It is pronounced as "alt-ɡʁ" in IPA phonetic transcription. The term is a contraction of "alternate graphic," and the key is typically located to the right of the space bar. In many European countries, the AltGr key is used to access special characters like accented vowels, currency symbols, and brackets.
AltGr, short for "Alternate Graphic," refers to a particular modifier key found on some computer keyboards, typically located to the right of the spacebar. It is primarily used in conjunction with other keys to access additional characters or functions that are not readily available on the standard keyboard layout.
The AltGr key acts as a secondary modifier key, allowing users to input special characters, diacritic marks, symbol variations, and alternate language characters quickly and conveniently. When the AltGr key is pressed simultaneously with another key, it alters the typical output and provides an alternative character or function. For example, pressing AltGr along with the '2' key might produce the at sign (@), while AltGr + 'E' may yield the Euro sign (€).
However, the specific characters or functions accessed through AltGr can vary depending on the keyboard layout and operating system. It is often used in non-US English layouts to access additional characters used in the local language, like umlauts or accent marks. Additionally, some keyboards use AltGr to access more specialized symbols or mathematical equations.
In summary, AltGr is an additional modifier key on a computer keyboard that allows users to access a range of alternative characters, diacritic marks, and symbol variations, enhancing the keyboard's versatility and support for various languages and character sets.
The word "AltGr" stands for "Alternate Graphic" or "Alternate Key" and is short for "Alternate Graphics/Key Mode". It is primarily used on computer keyboards to refer to a modifier key usually found to the right of the space bar. The exact etymology of "AltGr" is not well documented, but it is believed to have originated in the early 1990s when keyboards with additional keys and functionalities emerged. The term "Alternate Graphic" refers to the fact that pressing the "AltGr" key in combination with another key can produce alternative characters or symbols on the keyboard.