A card is a piece of stiff paper or thin cardboard on which something is written or printed.
Check the numbers below against the numbers on your card.
2. countable noun [usually noun NOUN]
A card is a piece of cardboard or plastic, or a small document, which shows information about you and which you carry withyou, for example to prove your identity.
They check my bag and press card.
...her membership card.
The authorities have begun to issue ration cards.
3. countable noun
A card is a rectangular piece of plastic, issued by a bank, company, or shop, which youcan use to buy things or obtain money.
He paid the whole bill with an American Express card.
Holiday-makers should beware of using plastic cards in foreign cash dispensers.
4. countable noun
A card is a folded piece of stiff paper with a picture and sometimes a message printed on it, whichyou send to someone on a special occasion.
She sends me a card on my birthday.
...millions of get-well cards.
5. countable noun
A card is the same as a postcard.
Send your details on a card to the following address.
6. countable noun [oft poss NOUN]
A card is a piece of thin cardboard carried by someone such as a business person in orderto give to other people. A card shows the name, address, telephone number, and other details of the person who carries it.
[business]
Here's my card. You may need me.
7. countable noun [usually plural]
Cards are thin pieces of cardboard with numbers or pictures printed on them which are usedto play various games.
...a pack of cards.
Kurt picked up his hand and fanned out the cards one by one.
8. uncountable noun
If you are playing cards, you are playing a game using cards.
A group of officers was sitting round a table in the sun playing cards.
9. countable noun
You can use card to refer to something that gives you an advantage in a particular situation. If you play aparticular card, you use that advantage.
It was his strongest card in their relationship–that she wanted him more than hewanted her.
This permitted Western manufacturers to play their strong cards: capital and technology.
10. uncountable noun
Card is strong, stiff paper or thin cardboard.
She put the pieces of card in her pocket.
11. countable noun
In computing, a card is a circuit board that can be put into a computer to provide additional memory or functions.
[computing]
12. countable noun [oft onNOUN]
You can use card to refer to a series of races or matches at a particular sporting event.
Paradise Boy and the Galloping General have clear chances in the opening two eventson the card.
13. verb
If you are carded, someone in authority asks you to show a document to prove that you are old enough to do something, for example,to buy or drink alcohol.
[US]
For the first time in many years, I got carded. [beVERB-ed]
14. See also bank card, business card, calling card, cash card, cheque card, Christmas card, credit card, debit card, gold card, identity card, index card, payment card, place card, playing card, report card, smart card, wild card
15.
See on the cards
16.
See to play your cards right
17.
See to put your cards on the table
card in British English1
(kɑːd)
noun
1.
a piece of stiff paper or thin cardboard, usually rectangular, with varied uses, as for filing information in an index, bearing a written notice for display, entering scores in a game, etc
2.
such a card used for identification, reference, proof of membership, etc
library card
identity card
visiting card
3.
such a card used for sending greetings, messages, or invitations, often bearing an illustration, printed greetings, etc
Christmas card
birthday card
4.
one of a set of small pieces of cardboard, variously marked with significant figures, symbols, etc, used for playing games or for fortune-telling
5.
a. short for playing card
b.
(as modifier)
a card game
c.
(in combination)
cardsharp
6. informal
a witty, entertaining, or eccentric person
7. short for cheque card, credit card
8. compass card
9. Also called: race card horse racing
a daily programme of all the races at a meeting, listing the runners, riders, weights to be carried, distances to be run, and conditions of each race
10.
a thing or action used in order to gain an advantage, esp one that is concealed and kept in reserve until needed (esp in the phrase a card up one's sleeve)
11.
short for printed circuit card
printed circuit board
Word origin
C15: from Old French carte, from Latin charta leaf of papyrus, from Greek khartēs, probably of Egyptian origin
card in British English2
(kɑːd)
verb
1. (transitive)
to comb out and clean fibres of wool or cotton before spinning
noun
2.
(formerly) a machine or comblike tool for carding fabrics or for raising the nap on cloth
Derived forms
carder (ˈcarder)
noun
carding (ˈcarding)
noun
Word origin
C15: from Old French carde card, teasel, from Latin carduus thistle
Card. in British English
abbreviation for
Cardinal
card in American English1
(kɑrd)
noun
1.
a flat, stiff piece of thick paper or thin pasteboard, usually rectangular
, as
a.
any of a pack of small, specially marked cards used in playing various games; specif., any of apack of playing cards
see also cards
b.
compass card
c. US
a pasteboard with a number of small articles attached for sale
a card of thumbtacks
d.
postcard
e.
calling card
f.
a card identifying a person as an agent, member, patron, etc.
g.
credit card
h.
an illustrated or decorated card bearing a message or greeting for some occasion
a birthday card
i.
a card to advertise or announce an event, product, etc.
a window card
j.
any of a series of cards on which information is recorded
file card, index card
k. US
score card (sense 1)
2. US
a series of contests making up a program, esp. in boxing
3.
an event or attraction as described in a printed program
drawing card
4. Electronics
a.
a punch card or a card with a strip encoded magnetically
b.
a printed circuit board that plugs into a main circuit board
5. Informal
a witty, comical, or clowning person
6. Informal
a diplomatic maneuver or a force or resource that can be used to help achieve a goal
verb transitive
7.
to provide with a card
8.
to put on a card
9.
to list on cards for filing, cataloging, etc.
10.
to make as a score in golf
11. Slang
to ask (a young person) for identification, as an ID card, as to establish proof of legal age to drink alcohol
adjective
12.
of or involving playing cards
a card trick
Idioms:
card up one's sleeve
in the cards
put one's cards on the table
Word origin
ME carde < OFr carte < ML carta, card, paper < L charta, leaf of paper, tablet < Gr chartēs, layer of papyrus; prob. < Egypt
card in American English2
(kɑrd)
noun
1.
a wire brush for raising the nap on cloth
2.
a machine with rollers covered with metal spikes, used to brush, clean, and disentangle the short fibers of wool, cotton, flax, etc.
3.
a hand-held implement for this, with short, fine spikes set in leather with a stiff backing
verb transitive
4.
to use a card on (fibers) in preparation for spinning
Derived forms
carder (ˈcarder)
noun
carding (ˈcarding)
noun, adjective
Word origin
ME & OFr carde < OProv carda < cardar, to card < VL *caritare < L carrere, to card < IE base *kars-, to scrape; sp. infl. by assoc. with ML cardus, a card, thistle < L carduus, thistle, of same orig.
They had a great relationship and would play cards or chess together at lunchtime.
The Sun (2016)
Similar cards are already used in other countries.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We were unlucky that he did not get a red card.
The Sun (2016)
And he could have gone twice before getting his second yellow card.
The Sun (2016)
Put the tweed ones on my card.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We deserved it against a tough side and after their red cards the game was over.
The Sun (2016)
People usually walk around handing out bundles of cards but this time there were very few.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Those competing courtesy of a wild card can lift their game and woo the crowd.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Cricketers will be shown a red card for serious incidents under new laws expected to come into force next year.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You're buying a card for the dog?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
She has her coffee and her calories but no cash or credit card has been used.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Take that card and come right to the kitchen.
LM Montgomery Anne of Green Gables (1872)
The rest is best left to owners of paintings showing dogs playing cards.
The Sun (2010)
Your name goes on a smart address card.
The Sun (2007)
We sat there telling jokes and playing cards all night.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
To receive one of those cards is a wonderful feeling.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They should cut up his membership card.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She was at the same time persuaded to buy a memory card for the camera.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Claim details are on your game card.
The Sun (2013)
We would be holding a very strong hand of cards.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This time the card should be yellow.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This is surely the wild card of the bunch.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Your real opponents are the players playing with your cards at other tables.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The smallest greetings card you get holds a rich secret.
The Sun (2011)
One envelope clearly contained a plastic card.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The first card to arrive stopped my surname short after five letters.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Many employers have similar cards for use in staff canteens.
The Sun (2007)
Players have complained he provokes them by flashing cards right in their faces.
The Sun (2006)
But the resignation request is turned down because colleagues cannot get a leaving card big enough to fit his name.
The Sun (2016)
This is because it is advantageous to play the second and fourth cards to a trick, not the first and third.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
card
British English: card /kɑːd/ NOUN
greetings card A card is a folded piece of stiff paper that has a picture on the front and a message inside. You send cards to people at special times, like birthdays.
American English: card
Arabic: بِطَاقَة
Brazilian Portuguese: cartão
Chinese: 卡片
Croatian: karta
Czech: blahopřání předtištěné
Danish: kort spillekort
Dutch: kaart
European Spanish: tarjeta
Finnish: kortti
French: carte vœux
German: Karte
Greek: κάρτα
Italian: biglietto di auguri
Japanese: カード
Korean: 카드
Norwegian: kort
Polish: karta
European Portuguese: cartão
Romanian: felicitare
Russian: открытка
Latin American Spanish: tarjeta
Swedish: kort vykort
Thai: บัตรอวยพร
Turkish: kart
Ukrainian: листівка
Vietnamese: thiếp
British English: card /kɑːd/ NOUN
stiff paperCard is stiff paper.
American English: card
Arabic: كارْت
Brazilian Portuguese: cartão
Chinese: 卡片
Croatian: karton
Czech: kartontvrdý papír
Danish: pap
Dutch: karton
European Spanish: cartulina
Finnish: kortti
French: carton
German: Karton
Greek: κάρτα
Italian: cartoncino
Japanese: カード
Korean: 두꺼운 종이
Norwegian: kartong
Polish: karta
European Portuguese: cartão
Romanian: carton
Russian: картон
Latin American Spanish: tarjeta
Swedish: kort
Thai: การ์ด บัตร
Turkish: karton
Ukrainian: картка
Vietnamese: thẻ
British English: card /kɑːd/ NOUN
playing cardCards are pieces of stiff paper with numbers or pictures on them that you use for playing games.
American English: card
Arabic: وَرَقَةُ لَعِب
Brazilian Portuguese: carta
Chinese: 扑克牌
Croatian: karte
Czech: kartahrací
Danish: kort
Dutch: kaart
European Spanish: carta
Finnish: kortti
French: cartecarte à jouer
German: Spielkarte
Greek: τραπουλόχαρτο
Italian: carte
Japanese: トランプ
Korean: 카드
Norwegian: spillekort
Polish: karta do gry
European Portuguese: cartas
Romanian: cărți de joc
Russian: игральная карта
Latin American Spanish: carta
Swedish: kort
Thai: ไพ่
Turkish: oyun kartı
Ukrainian: карта
Vietnamese: lá bài
All related terms of 'card'
e-card
An e-card is a digital card that you send over the internet on a special occasion .
ID card
a card or document that serves to identify a person, or to prove his or her age , membership , etc
bank card
A bank card is a plastic card which your bank gives you so you can get money from your bank account using a cash machine . It is also called an → ATM card in American English .
bin card
an index card in or affixed to a bin identifying its contents
call card
a form for requesting a library book by title and call number
card file
a collection of cards containing data or records, arranged systematically, as in alphabetical order, in boxes or drawers
card game
A card game is a game that is played using a set of playing cards.
card tart
a credit-card holder who continually changes providers, transferring his or her balance to another provider whenever the agreed period of low interest on the prior loan is about to expire
card vote
a vote by delegates , esp at a trade-union conference , in which each delegate's vote counts as a vote by all his or her constituents
cash card
A cash card is a card that banks give to their customers so that they can get money out of a cash dispenser.
CGA card
a computer card for the display of graphics in colour introduced by IBM in 1981
club card
A club card is a card issued by a retailer which allows the card holder to make discounted purchases .
cue card
a card, unseen by the audience , carrying dialogue , lyrics , etc. as an aid to a television performer
face card
(in a pack of playing cards ) a king, queen , or jack of any suit
file card
a card with information written on it used in a filing system
gift card
If someone buys you a gift card from a store , they buy a card of a certain value that allows you to choose an item or items of that value at that store or chain .
gold card
A gold card is a special type of credit card that gives you extra benefits such as a higher spending limit .
hard card
a card or device which fits into a computer's expansion slot , with the purpose of increasing memory , graphics capacity , etc
hole card
a card dealt face down in stud poker
key card
A key card is a small plastic card which you can use instead of a key to open a door or barrier , for example in some hotels and car parks .
long card
a card remaining in a hand after all the opponents ' cards in that particular suit have been drawn
Mass card
a printed card indicating to its recipient that the donor has requested a Mass to be offered for a specified person or intention
race card
→ to play the race card
rate card
a list showing the rates charged by a magazine , newspaper , radio or television station , etc., for various types of advertising
red card
In football or rugby , if a player is shown the red card , the referee holds up a red card to indicate that the player must leave the pitch for breaking the rules .
show card
a tradesman's advertisement mounted on card as a poster
side card
the highest card in a hand that is not part of a scoring combination , as not being one of a pair, three of a kind , etc., and that serves to determine by its denomination the higher ranking of two otherwise equal hands
SIM Card
A SIM card is a microchip in a mobile phone that connects it to a particular phone network. SIM is an abbreviation for 'Subscriber Identity Module'.
test card
a complex pattern used to test the characteristics of a television transmission system
VGA card
a graphics card that provides resolution to the VGA standard
wild card
If you refer to someone or something as a wild card in a particular situation, you mean that they cause uncertainty because you do not know how they will behave .
card fraud
Fraud is the crime of gaining money or financial benefits by a trick or by lying.
card hopper
a device that allows cards of varying thicknesses to be fed individually through an outlet opening in a printer without adjustment
card index
A card index is a number of cards with information written on them which are arranged in a particular order, usually alphabetical , so that you can find the information you want easily .
card reader
a device, no longer widely used, for reading information on a punched card and transferring it to a computer
card shark
an expert card player
card table
A card table is a small light table which can be folded up and which is sometimes used for playing games of cards on.
card trick
an illusory feat performed with playing cards
charge card
A charge card is a plastic card that you use to buy goods on credit from a particular store or group of stores. Compare → credit card .
cheque card
In Britain , a cheque card or a cheque guarantee card is a small plastic card given to you by your bank and which you have to show when you are paying for something by cheque or when you are cashing a cheque at another bank.
clock card
a card used by employees to register their time of arrival at, and time of departure from, their workplace
court card
(in a pack of playing cards) a king, queen , or jack of any suit
credit card
A credit card is a plastic card that you use to buy goods on credit. Compare → charge card .
dance card
a schedule of appointments
debit card
A debit card is a bank card that you can use to pay for things. When you use it the money is taken out of your bank account immediately .
donor card
A donor card is a card which people carry in order to make sure that, when they die , their organs are used by doctors to help people who are ill .
draft card
the card issued to men who registered for the draft
Equity card
a card proving membership of an actors ' trade union
false-card
to play a misleading card , esp a high loser , in order to deceive an opponent
flash card
Flash cards are cards which are sometimes used in the teaching of reading or a foreign language. Each card has words or a picture on it.
Chinese translation of 'card'
card
(kɑːd)
n
(c) (= record card, index card etc) 卡片 (kǎpiàn) (张(張), zhāng)
(c) (also playing card) 扑(撲)克牌 (pūkèpái) (张(張), zhāng)
(c) (= greetings card) 贺(賀)卡 (hèkǎ) (张(張), zhāng)
(c) (also business card) 名片 (míngpiàn) (张(張), zhāng)
(c) (= bank card, credit card) 信用卡 (xìnyòngkǎ) (张(張), zhāng)