Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

card

 - definition
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
noun American English pronunciation: card /kɑrd/ 
Word Forms
Close
singularcard
pluralcards
 
  2. 2
    [countable] a small piece of thick stiff paper or plastic that shows who you are and that you have authority or permission to do something

    I handed the assistant my library card.

    I can’t find my membership card for the health club.

    flash a card (=show someone a card quickly):

    They said they were from the gas company and flashed cards at us.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  cardThesaurus entry for this meaning of card
    1. a.
      a small piece of thick stiff paper with your name, your job, and the name of your company printed on it

      Let me give you my card.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  cardThesaurus entry for this meaning of card
    2. b.
      a piece of thick stiff paper on which you record information about something

      I looked at my score card.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  cardThesaurus entry for this meaning of card
    3. c.
      a piece of thick stiff paper with printed information on it, usually part of a set

      a collection of recipe cards

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  cardThesaurus entry for this meaning of card
    4. d.
      a list of the sports events that are planned to take place at a particular time

      There are six events on the card today.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  cardThesaurus entry for this meaning of card
  3. 3
    [countable] a piece of thick stiff paper folded into two equal parts, with a picture and a message on it

    She sent me a lovely card on my birthday.

    a card says/reads something:

    The card read, “Get Well Soon! Love from all at the office.”

    birthday/Christmas/get-well, etc. card:

    Did we get a Christmas card from your brother this year?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  cardThesaurus entry for this meaning of card
    1. a.
      a postcard

      I scribbled a quick card to my parents.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  cardThesaurus entry for this meaning of card
  4. 4
    [countable] one of a set of 52 small pieces of thick stiff paper used for various games. The set is called a pack or deck and is divided into four suits: hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades.
    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  cardThesaurus entry for this meaning of card
    1. a.

      cards

       [plural] the activity of playing games with a set of 52 cards

      I’ve always been lucky at cards.

      play cards:

      Let’s play cards this evening.

      game of cards:

      There’s time for a quick game of cards.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  cardThesaurus entry for this meaning of card
    2. b.
      [countable] one of a set of small pieces of thick stiff paper used in games or activities such as tarot
      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  cardThesaurus entry for this meaning of card
    3. c.

      the cards

       [plural] playing cards or tarot used for trying to discover what will happen in the future

      The cards never lie.

      She said she had seen our future in the cards.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  cardThesaurus entry for this meaning of card
  5. 5
    [countable] something that gives you an advantage in doing something
    someone’s strongest/best/trump/winning card:

    His strongest card was his friendship with the prince.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  cardThesaurus entry for this meaning of card

phrases

See also

This is the American English definition of card. View British English definition of card.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 

vocal fry

a speech habit in which a speaker lowers their voice at the end of a sentence

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day Word of the Day

simile

a phrase that describes something by comparing it to something else using the word...

Open Dictionary

conflict mineral

a mineral which is mined in a place where there is armed conflict, and sold to help pay for weapons

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog