# deck

/ˈdɛk/ (US) · /dˈɛk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/deck
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. on a ship

noun · CEFR B1

the floor of a ship or boat that you can walk on.

For teachers: the floor-like covering of the horizontal sections or compartments of a vessel.

- We stood on the top deck of the ferry to watch the seagulls.
- The crew spent the morning scrubbing the wooden deck to ensure it was clear of salt and debris before the passengers arrived.

### 2. playing cards

noun · CEFR B1

a complete set of playing cards.

For teachers: a full pack of playing cards, typically consisting of fifty-two cards.

- He shuffled the deck before dealing the cards to the other players.
- In many modern strategy games, players must carefully construct a custom deck of cards to maximize their chances of victory.

### 3. wooden patio

noun · CEFR B1

a flat area made of wood, usually attached to the back of a house.

For teachers: an unroofed outdoor platform, typically made of timber, adjoining a residential property.

- We sat out on the deck and had a barbecue during the summer evening.
- The architect suggested extending the wooden deck toward the garden to create a seamless transition between the indoor and outdoor living spaces.

### 4. presentation slides

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic · Formal

a set of slides used for a business presentation.

For teachers: a collection of digital slides, often created in software like PowerPoint, used for a formal presentation.

- I need to finish the pitch deck before the meeting tomorrow morning.
- The marketing team spent hours refining the slide deck to ensure the visual data was clear for the potential investors.

### 5. audio equipment

noun · CEFR B2

a piece of equipment used for playing music tapes or records.

For teachers: a component of an audio system designed for playing or recording media, such as a tape deck or a record deck.

- He carefully placed the vinyl record onto the deck and lowered the needle.
- The studio was equipped with high-end digital decks and vintage analogue recorders to capture the best possible sound quality.

### 6. to hit someone

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

to hit someone so hard that they fall to the ground.

For teachers: to knock someone to the floor, typically with a single forceful punch.

- The boxer managed to deck his opponent in the very first round.
- Witnesses claimed the argument escalated quickly, ending when one man unexpectedly decked the other with a heavy blow to the jaw.

### 7. to decorate

verb · CEFR B2 · Literary

to decorate something or someone, often for a special event.

For teachers: to decorate or adorn something, frequently used in the phrasal verb 'deck out'.

- The halls were decked with bright lights and flowers for the wedding.
- The ballroom was decked out in gold and crimson fabrics, creating a regal atmosphere for the anniversary gala.

Usage: Often used as 'decked out' to describe someone wearing fancy clothes or a room being decorated.

## Examples

- We sat on the wooden deck to watch the sunset.
- The passengers gathered on the upper deck of the ferry to take photos of the approaching harbor.
- Architects often incorporate a multi-level deck into residential designs to bridge the transition between interior living spaces and the natural topography of the garden.

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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.