Card
/kɑːrd/
Definitions
3 meaningsA flat piece of stiff paper or thin pasteboard, often used for writing messages or printing information.
/kɑːrd/
A piece of stiff paper or thin cardboard.
I sent a greeting card to my friend.
💡 Simply: A piece of paper.
More Examples
He showed me his ID card.
How It's Used
"I received a birthday card in the mail."
"He handed me his business card."
One of a set of rectangular pieces of stiff paper, each marked with different suits and numbers or pictures, used in games.
/kɑːrd/
A playing card from a deck of cards.
The ace of spades is a powerful card.
💡 Simply: A playing card.
More Examples
She shuffled the cards before dealing.
How It's Used
"He dealt the cards for the poker game."
To enter information onto a card or similar device.
/kɑːrd/
To record information on a card.
They carded the data for later analysis.
💡 Simply: To write on a card.
More Examples
The clerk carded the details of the transaction.
How It's Used
"He carefully carded all the new customer information."
Idioms & expressions
get your cards marked
To be cheated or tricked.
"I think I got my cards marked in that deal."
From Old French *carte, from Latin *charta "paper made of papyrus or plant fibers".
The word 'card' has been used to refer to playing cards since the 14th century. Its usage for other types of cards developed later.
Memory tip
Think of a playing card – they're made of card.