# wild card

CEFR B2 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wild-card
Updated: 2026-07-27

## Definition

a person or thing that is unpredictable and can change the outcome of a situation. In card games, it is a card that can represent any other card.

For teachers: a person or thing whose influence or outcome is unpredictable; in card games, a card that can be designated as any other card to complete a set.

## Examples

- The new candidate is a wild card in this election.
- The weather remains a wild card for the outdoor festival, as forecasts change every few hours.
- While the incumbent holds a steady lead, the third-party challenger acts as a wild card, potentially siphoning enough votes to force a runoff.

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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.