# deal /ˈdiɫ/ (US) · /dˈiːl/ (UK) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/deal Updated: 2026-06-19 ## Senses ### 1. business agreement noun · CEFR A2 an agreement between two or more people or companies, usually involving money or business. For teachers: a business arrangement or transaction, often involving a formal or informal contract between parties. - The two companies signed a deal to work together on the new project. - After months of intense negotiation, the tech giants finally closed a multi-million dollar deal that would merge their cloud computing divisions. ### 2. a bargain noun · CEFR B1 a product or service that is sold at a very good price. For teachers: a transaction considered to be financially advantageous to the buyer. - I got a great deal on this laptop during the summer sale. - Savvy travellers often wait until the last minute to book, hoping to secure a deal on luxury accommodation that would otherwise remain vacant. ### 3. a lot noun · CEFR B1 a large amount of something; used in the phrase 'a great deal'. For teachers: an indefinite but large quantity or amount, typically used with 'great' or 'good'. - He spent a great deal of time researching the history of his family. - The proposed infrastructure project has already attracted a great deal of criticism from local environmental groups concerned about habitat loss. ### 4. card games noun · CEFR B1 the act of giving out cards to players in a game. For teachers: the distribution of playing cards to participants in a game; also the period of play between such distributions. - Whose deal is it? I think I gave the cards out last time. - The professional gambler watched the deal closely, looking for any slight hesitation that might reveal the dealer's lack of experience. ### 5. situation or problem noun · CEFR B2 · Informal a situation or a person's specific problem. For teachers: an unspecified situation, matter, or personal issue; often used in the question 'What is the deal?'. - I don't know what the deal is with the broken lift, but it's been a week. - The manager wanted to know what the deal was with the delayed shipment, as the clients were becoming increasingly frustrated. ### 6. to manage or handle verb · CEFR A2 to take action to solve a problem or handle a situation. For teachers: to take the necessary action to document, manage, or resolve a situation; usually followed by 'with'. - She is very good at dealing with difficult customers at the bank. - The crisis management team was forced to deal with several conflicting reports before they could issue an official statement to the press. Usage: Always takes the preposition 'with' when referring to a person or problem. ### 7. to trade or sell verb · CEFR B2 to buy and sell things as a business, or to sell illegal drugs. For teachers: to engage in commercial trade; also used specifically for the illicit sale of narcotics. - The shop on the corner deals in rare books and old maps. - The investigation revealed that the suspect had been dealing stolen electronics through various encrypted online marketplaces for several years. Usage: Takes 'in' for general goods (deal in antiques) but is often used without a preposition for illegal drugs. ### 8. to give out cards verb · CEFR A2 to give playing cards to the people in a game. For teachers: to distribute playing cards to players in a systematic manner. - Please deal the cards so we can start the next round of the game. - The croupier began to deal the cards with a mechanical precision that fascinated the onlookers at the high-stakes table. ### 9. to inflict damage verb · CEFR C1 · Formal to cause someone to suffer something bad, like a blow or a disappointment. For teachers: to deliver or inflict something unpleasant, such as a physical blow or a metaphorical setback. - The sudden increase in taxes dealt a heavy blow to small businesses. - The supreme court's ruling dealt a significant blow to the government's proposed legislative reforms, effectively halting the project indefinitely. ## Examples - I got a great deal on my new car. - The two companies finally signed a deal to share their technology after months of difficult negotiations. - While the initial merger seemed like a fair deal for the shareholders, the long-term implications for the workforce remained a point of significant contention during the board meeting. --- 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.