deal1

Pronunciation: /diːl/

Definition of deal

1 [with object] distribute (cards) in an orderly rotation to players for a game or round:the cards were dealt for the last hand [with two objects]: figurativefate dealt her a different hand [no object]:he shuffled and dealt
(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 punishments dealt out to the rioters were hideous

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:journalism that deals in small-town chit-chat
informal buy and sell illegal drugs: you are suspected of dealing in drugs [with object]:many of the men are dealing drugs

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 or control (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 very harshly with her
have commercial relations with:the bank deals directly with the private sector
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 government was ready to do a deal with the opposition
[with adjective] a particular form of treatment given or received:working mothers get a bad deal

2 [in singular] the process of distributing the cards to players in a card game: after the deal, players A and B stay out
a player’s turn to distribute cards: ‘Time for one more game.’ ‘All right. Whose deal?’
the round of play following a distribution of cards.
the set of hands dealt to the players.

Phrases

a big deal: [usually with negative] a thing considered important:they don’t make a big deal out of minor irritations; (big deal) used to express one’s contempt for something regarded as impressive or important by another person: ‘I’ll give you an allowance,’ he said. ‘Big deal,’ she thought
a deal of: dated a large amount of:he lost a deal of blood
a good (or great) deal: a large amount:I don’t know a great deal about politics; to a considerable extent:she had got to know him a good deal better
a square deal: a fair arrangement: the workers feel they are not getting a square deal
it's a deal: informal used to express one’s assent to an agreement: ‘It’s a deal,’ he said, smiling with satisfaction

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), deal¹ (sense 4 of the verb); the sense 'participate' gave rise to 'have dealings with', hence deal¹ (sense 2 of the verb), deal¹ (sense 3 of the verb)

Definition of deal in the US English dictionary