# playing card

CEFR A2 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/playing-card
Updated: 2026-07-28

## Definition

one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper with numbers and pictures used for games.

For teachers: a rectangular piece of heavy paper or plastic, typically part of a set of 52, used for gaming or gambling. Countable noun.

## Examples

- He dealt each person a playing card.
- She shuffled the deck and asked me to pick a playing card for the magic trick.
- The archaeologist discovered a preserved playing card from the seventeenth century, suggesting that such pastimes were common among the local garrison.

## Usage notes

- usually used in the plural when referring to the set or the activity of gaming.
- Teaching tip: teach alongside related collective nouns like 'deck' or 'pack' of cards; note that 'playing' is often dropped in casual conversation once the context is established.

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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.