# card

/ˈkɑɹd/ (US) · /kˈɑːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/card
Updated: 2026-04-30

## Senses

### 1. playing card

noun · CEFR A1

one of a set of 52 pieces of stiff paper used for playing games like poker.

For teachers: one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper or plastic with numbers and symbols used for gambling or leisure games.

- He dealt each player five cards for the first round of the game.
- The magician asked a volunteer to pick a card from the deck and memorize its suit before returning it.

### 2. bank or credit card

noun · CEFR A1

a small plastic card from a bank used to pay for things or take out money.

For teachers: a small plastic rectangle issued by a financial institution for electronic payments or cash withdrawals.

- I forgot my wallet, so I had to pay for the groceries with my card.
- The merchant terminal was unable to process the transaction because the chip on the card was damaged.

### 3. greeting or business card

noun · CEFR A1

a piece of stiff paper with a message or contact information.

For teachers: a small piece of cardstock used for social correspondence or for providing professional contact details.

- She sent a birthday card to her brother with a handwritten note inside.
- After the meeting, the consultant handed over his business card and suggested a follow-up call next week.

### 4. computing component

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a small electronic part you put inside a computer to give it more power or memory.

For teachers: a removable circuit board or electronic device inserted into a computer to provide additional functionality.

- He bought a new graphics card so he could play the latest video games.
- The server's network interface card failed, causing a temporary loss of connectivity for the entire department.

### 5. funny person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

a person who is very funny or strange in an entertaining way.

For teachers: an amusing, eccentric, or witty individual.

- Your uncle is a real card; he kept us laughing all through dinner.
- Old Mr. Henderson was quite a card, always ready with a dry quip that caught everyone off guard.

### 6. metaphorical advantage

noun · CEFR B2

a fact or argument you use to get what you want.

For teachers: a resource, advantage, or strategic argument employed to achieve a specific goal.

- The manager played his final card by offering a higher salary to keep her.
- The negotiator decided to hold back the environmental card until the final stage of the talks.

### 7. to check ID

verb · CEFR B1 · American English · Informal

to ask someone to show their ID to prove how old they are.

For teachers: to verify a person's age by inspecting their official identification documents.

- The bouncer will card you at the door if you look younger than twenty-one.
- The supermarket clerk was required by law to card anyone who appeared to be under the age of thirty.

### 8. to brush wool

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to comb wool or cotton with a wire brush to make it straight before spinning.

For teachers: to disentangle and align fibers, such as wool or cotton, using a wire-toothed brush or machine.

- The workers had to card the raw wool before it could be made into yarn.
- Traditional artisans still card the wool by hand to ensure the fibers remain undamaged for high-quality weaving.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.