# club

/ˈkɫəb/ (US) · /klˈʌb/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/club
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. an association

noun · CEFR A1

a group of people who meet for a shared purpose, like sports or a hobby.

For teachers: an association of members joined for a common interest, typically recreational, social, or athletic.

- She decided to join the local tennis club to meet new people.
- The university's debating club provides a rigorous environment for students to hone their rhetorical skills and engage with complex political issues.

### 2. nightclub

noun · CEFR A2

a place where people go to dance, listen to music, and drink at night.

For teachers: an establishment providing entertainment, typically featuring music and dancing, often operating late into the night.

- The music at the club was so loud that we had to shout to hear each other.
- The city's underground electronic music scene is centred around a few exclusive clubs located in the industrial district.

### 3. heavy stick

noun · CEFR B1

a thick, heavy stick used as a weapon or for hitting things.

For teachers: a heavy, blunt object, often a wooden stick, intended for use as a weapon or implement.

- In the movie, the caveman carried a large wooden club.
- Archaeologists discovered a primitive club carved from dense oak, suggesting it was used for both hunting and tribal defence.

### 4. playing cards

noun · CEFR B1

one of the four groups in a pack of cards, marked with a black clover shape.

For teachers: one of the four suits in a standard deck of playing cards, represented by a black trefoil or clover symbol.

- He played the seven of clubs to win the final round of the game.
- The dealer revealed the ace of clubs, completing the player's flush and securing the highest possible hand in that round.

### 5. shared characteristic

noun · CEFR B2 · Humorous

a group of people who all have the same experience or problem.

For teachers: a metaphorical set of people who share a specific, often unenviable, characteristic or experience.

- If you also lost your keys today, welcome to the club.
- Having failed the bar exam twice, he felt he had finally joined the club of disillusioned law graduates.

### 6. to hit

verb · CEFR B2

to hit someone or something with a heavy stick.

For teachers: to strike with a club or a similar heavy, blunt object. Transitive use requiring a direct object.

- The giant tried to club the hero, but he jumped out of the way.
- The historical accounts describe how the invaders would club their opponents into submission rather than using blades.

### 7. to go to nightclubs

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to go out to dance and party at nightclubs.

For teachers: to visit nightclubs frequently as a social activity. Intransitive use.

- They spent the whole weekend clubbing in Berlin.
- After a week of intense exams, the students went clubbing to celebrate their newfound freedom.

### 8. to combine

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to join together with other people to do something or pay for something.

For teachers: to combine resources or efforts for a common purpose, often used with 'together'.

- The neighbours clubbed together to buy a gift for the retiring teacher.
- The small independent retailers decided to club together to negotiate better rates with the shipping company.

Usage: Often used in the phrasal form 'club together'.

## Examples

- I joined a local book club to meet new people.
- The city has a famous jazz club where local musicians perform every Friday night.
- Membership in the exclusive athletic club provides access to private facilities that are otherwise unavailable to the general public, fostering a sense of community among its participants.

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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.