kɑːd
kɑːrdpaper
1 [uncountable] (British English) thick stiff papera piece of cardThe model of the building was made of card.with information
2 [countable] a small piece of stiff paper or plastic with information on it, especially information about somebody's identitya membership cardan appointment card see also green card, identity card, loyalty card, red card, report card, yellow card3 [countable] = business cardHere's my card if you need to contact me again.4 [countable] = visiting cardfor money
5 [countable] a small piece of plastic, especially one given by a bank or shop/store, used for buying things or obtaining moneyI put the meal on (= paid for it using) my card. see also cash card, charge card, cheque card, chip card, credit card, debit card, phonecard, SIM card, smart card, swipe cardwith a message
6 [countable] a piece of stiff paper that is folded in the middle and has a picture on the front of it, used for sending somebody a message with your good wishes, an invitation, etca birthday/get-well/good luck card see also Christmas card, greetings card7 [countable] = postcardDid you get my card from Italy?in games
8 [countable] = playing card (British English)a pack of cards (North American English) a deck of cards9 cards [plural] a game or games in which playing cards are usedWho wants to play cards?I've never been very good at cards.Let's have a game of cards.She won £20 at cards.computing
10 [countable] a small device containing an electronic circuit that is part of a computer or added to it, enabling it to perform particular functionsa printed circuit carda graphics/network/sound card see also expansion cardperson
11 [countable] (old-fashioned, informal) an unusual or amusing personhorse races
12 [countable] a list of all the races at a particular race meeting (= a series of horse races)for wool/cotton
13 [countable] (technical) a machine or tool used for cleaning and combing wool or cotton before it is spunIdioms
somebody's best/strongest/winning card
something that gives somebody an advantage over other people in a particular situation
get your cards
(British English, informal) to be told to leave a jobgive somebody their cards
(British English, informal) to make somebody leave their jobhave a card up your sleeve
to have an idea, a plan, etc. that will give you an advantage in a particular situation and that you keep secret until it is needed
hold all the cards
(informal) to be able to control a particular situation because you have an advantage over other peoplehold/keep/play your cards close to your chest
to keep your ideas, plans, etc. secret
lay/put your cards on the table
to tell somebody honestly what your plans, ideas, etc. are
on the cards
(British English) (North American English in the cards) (informal) likely to happenThe merger has been on the cards for some time now.play the … card
to mention a particular subject, idea or quality in order to gain an advantage
He accused his opponent of playing the immigration card during the campaign. see also race cardplay your cards right
to deal successfully with a particular situation so that you achieve some advantage or something that you want
If you play your cards right, the job could be yours when she leaves.