deal1

Syllabification: (deal)

Pronunciation: /dēl/

Definition of deal

1 [with object] distribute (cards) in an orderly rotation to the players for a game or round:the cards were dealt for the last hand [with two objects]: figurativefate dealt her a different hand
(deal someone in) include a new player in a card game by giving them cards.
distribute or mete out (something) to a person or group:the funds raised were dealt out to the needy

2 [no object] take part in commercial trading of a particular commodity:directors were prohibited from dealing in the company’s shares
be concerned with:a movie that deals in ideas and issues
informal buy and sell illegal drugs: [with object]:Frankie started dealing cocaine

3 [no object] (deal with) take measures concerning (someone or something), especially with the intention of putting something right:the government had been unable to deal with the economic crisis
cope with (a difficult person or situation):you’ll have to find a way of dealing with those feelings
[with adverbial] treat (someone) in a particular way:life had dealt harshly with her
have relations with (a person or organization), especially in a commercial context:the bank deals directly with the private sector
take or have as a subject; discuss:the novel deals with several different topics

4 [with two objects] inflict (a blow) on (someone or something):hopes of an economic recovery were dealt another blow

1an agreement entered into by two or more parties for their mutual benefit, especially in a business or political context:the band signed a major recording deal
an attractive price on a commodity for a purchaser; a bargain:we’ve got great deals on the latest camcorders
[with adjective] a particular form of treatment given or received:working mothers get a raw deal

2a significant but unspecified amount of something:he lost a great deal of blood

3 [in singular] the process of distributing the cards to players in a card game.
a player’s turn to distribute cards.
the round of play following this.
the set of hands dealt to the players.

Phrases

a big deal: [usually with negative] informal a thing considered important:they don’t make a big deal out of minor irritations; an important person:Sam Kinison became a big deal; (big deal) used to express one’s contempt for something regarded as impressive or important by another person.
a good (or great) deal: a large amount:I don’t know a great deal about politics; to a considerable extent:she had gotten to know him a good deal better
cut a deal: informal make an agreement:he had gone to the board of directors with his new robot design and cut a deal
it's a deal: informal used to express one’s assent to an agreement.

Old English dǣlan 'divide', 'participate', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch deel and German Teil 'part' (noun), also to dole¹. The sense 'divide' gave rise to 'distribute', hence deal¹ (sense 1 of the verb) and deal¹ (sense 4 of the verb) ; the sense 'participate' gave rise to 'have dealings with', hence deal¹ (sense 2 of the verb) and deal¹ (sense 3 of the verb)

Definition of deal in the British & World English dictionary