Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

card1

Syllabification: (card)
Pronunciation: /kärd/
Translate card | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of card

noun

  • 1a piece of thick, stiff paper or thin pasteboard, in particular one used for writing or printing on:some notes jotted down on a card
  • a piece of thick paper printed with a picture and used to send a message or greeting:a birthday card
  • a small rectangular piece of thick paper with a person’s name and other details printed on it for purposes of identification, for example a business card.
  • 2a small rectangular piece of plastic issued by a bank, containing personal data in a machine-readable form and used chiefly to obtain cash or credit.
  • a small rectangular piece of plastic containing machine-readable data, used for paying for a telephone call or gaining entry to a room.
  • 3a playing card:a deck of cards
  • (cards) a game played with playing cards.
  • 5 informal a person regarded as odd or amusing:He laughed, “You’re a card, you know.”
  • 6a program of events at a racetrack.
  • a record of scores in a sporting event; a scorecard.

verb

[with object]
  • 1write (something) on a card, especially for indexing.
  • 2North American check the identity card of (someone), in particular as evidence of legal drinking age.
  • 3 informal (in golf and other sports) score (a certain number of points on a scorecard):he carded 68 in the final round
  • (of the referee in soccer and some other sports) show a yellow or red card to (a player who is being cautioned or sent off):Reid, seconds after being carded, broke down the left wing a Mac flanker was carded and sent to the sin bin in the first half

Phrases

hold all the cards

be in a very strong or advantageous position.

in the cards

informal very possible or likely:an overwhelming military triumph is in the cards

play the —— card

exploit the specified issue or idea mentioned, especially for political advantage:he resisted the temptation to play the race card I’m really surprised she played the gender card

play one's cards right

make the best use of one’s assets and opportunities.

put (or lay) one's cards on the table

be completely open and honest in declaring one’s resources, intentions, or attitude.

Origin:

late Middle English(1sense 3 of the noun): from Old French carte, from Latin carta, charta, from Greek khartēs 'papyrus leaf'

card in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of card in the British & World English dictionary
  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

cur

/ kər /
noun
an aggressive dog or one that is in poor condition …