blackjack: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal for the game; formal/archaic/historical for the weapon.
Quick answer
What does “blackjack” mean?
A gambling card game where players aim to get a hand value as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A gambling card game where players aim to get a hand value as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it.
Also refers to a short, leather-covered club with a flexible handle, historically used as a weapon.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The game is universally known. 'Twenty-one' is an occasional, older synonym in both regions. The weapon term is equally rare in both.
Connotations
The game connotes casinos, gambling, strategy. The weapon connotes historical violence, law enforcement, or piracy.
Frequency
The game sense has high frequency in gambling contexts; the weapon sense is low-frequency and historical.
Grammar
How to Use “blackjack” in a Sentence
to play blackjack (for money)to deal (someone) a blackjackto be hit with a blackjackVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blackjack” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The security guard was threatened but not blackjacked.
- He was accused of blackjacking a rival in the dark alley.
American English
- The detective found the victim had been blackjacked from behind.
- In the old story, pirates would blackjack captives to subdue them.
adjective
British English
- He studied the blackjack odds carefully.
- They sat at the blackjack table for hours.
American English
- She joined the blackjack tournament in Las Vegas.
- He developed a blackjack strategy card.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the casino and gaming industry.
Academic
Rare; appears in historical studies (weapon) or probability/game theory (card game).
Everyday
Common when discussing casino visits or card games.
Technical
In gambling, refers to a specific two-card hand (Ace + 10-value card).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blackjack”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blackjack”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blackjack”
- Using 'blackjack' to refer to any card game.
- Confusing 'blackjack' (game) with 'blackjack' (weapon) without context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, '21' is a common synonym for the card game blackjack.
Yes, but rarely. It means to hit someone with a blackjack (weapon), and its usage is almost exclusively historical or literary.
It is a specific two-card starting hand totalling 21 (an Ace and a 10-point card), which typically pays out at higher odds unless the dealer also has it.
Its use is extremely rare and largely historical. Modern law enforcement uses other tools (batons, tasers).
A gambling card game where players aim to get a hand value as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it.
Blackjack is usually informal for the game; formal/archaic/historical for the weapon. in register.
Blackjack: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblakdʒak/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblækˌdʒæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “double down”
- “hit or stand”
- “the house always wins”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
BLACKJACK: In the game, you want a black (Ace of spades/clubs) Jack (face card) for the best score.
Conceptual Metaphor
GAMBLING IS A BATTLE ('beat the dealer', 'win the hand').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary modern meaning of 'blackjack'?