a piece of thick, stiff paper or thin pasteboard, usually rectangular, bearing a picture or design on one side and used for sending greetings or messages, as a decoration, or as a game, a game played with playing cards, typically by two or more people, in which the winner is determined by the ranks and combinations of players' cards, a program or piece of information in a computer that can be accessed and used by the user

house of cards, play one's cards right, on the cards

Formal and Informal Expressions of cards

In different contexts, you can replace 'cards' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'playing cards' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'deck of cards, pack of cards' is a commonplace synonym.

cards: Explore its Definition & Usage

cards Definition

1a piece of thick, stiff paper or thin pasteboard, usually rectangular, bearing a picture or design on one side and used for sending greetings or messages, as a decoration, or as a game
2a game played with playing cards, typically by two or more people, in which the winner is determined by the ranks and combinations of players' cards
3a program or piece of information in a computer that can be accessed and used by the user

Using cards: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "cards" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
She sent me a birthday card with a cute puppy on it.
Example
Let's play cards after dinner.
Example
I have all my contacts' information saved in my address book card.

cards Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for cards

pack
game
playing cards
deck

Phrases with cards

house of cards
a structure or organization that is insubstantial and liable to collapse suddenly
Example
The company's finances were a house of cards, and it went bankrupt within a year.
play one's cards right
to act shrewdly and with foresight in order to achieve a desired outcome
Example
If we play our cards right, we might be able to secure a better deal.
on the cards
likely or possible to happen
Example
A promotion is on the cards for him if he keeps up the good work.

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Summary: cards in Brief

The term 'cards' [kɑːrdz] refers to a piece of paper or pasteboard used for sending greetings, decoration, or as a game. It also refers to a game played with playing cards, and a program or piece of information in a computer. Phrases like 'house of cards' denote an insubstantial structure, 'play one's cards right' means to act shrewdly, and 'on the cards' implies something is likely to happen.