card players, the: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal to Neutral
Quick answer
What does “card players, the” mean?
People who play card games, either socially or professionally.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
People who play card games, either socially or professionally.
The group of people gathered specifically for playing cards; can refer to both the activity and the individuals, often implying regular participation and skill.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term itself is identical. However, the specific card games mentioned in context often differ (e.g., Whist or Bridge vs. Poker or Gin Rummy). 'Card school' is a slightly dated BrE term for a regular group of card players.
Connotations
In both varieties, it is neutral for the activity. In specific contexts, it can carry connotations of gambling.
Frequency
Equally common and understood in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “card players, the” in a Sentence
The [adjective] card players gathered every Tuesday.A game for [number] card players.The card players at the [location] were very serious.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “card players, the” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The pensioners card-play every afternoon at the club.
- They've been card-playing for years.
American English
- The group card-played late into the night.
- He enjoys card-playing more than watching TV.
adverb
British English
- They sat card-playing for hours.
- He spent the evening card-playing.
American English
- They were engaged card-playing.
- The time passed quickly while card-playing.
adjective
British English
- He joined a card-playing circle.
- A card-playing enthusiast.
American English
- She comes from a card-playing family.
- The card-playing crowd was very competitive.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like casino management or gaming industry reports.
Academic
Rare; might appear in sociological studies of leisure or gambling.
Everyday
Very common for describing social activities, hobbies, or groups.
Technical
Specific to gaming theory or probability studies in mathematics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “card players, the”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “card players, the”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “card players, the”
- Using singular 'card player' for the plural concept (e.g., 'The card player meet on Fridays.').
- Incorrect article use: 'a card players'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not at all. It most commonly refers to people playing card games for fun, like Bridge, Uno, or Hearts. The context determines if gambling is involved.
Yes, 'a card player' is the singular form. 'The card players' is the plural, referring to the group collectively.
'Card players' is a broader term for anyone playing cards. 'Gamblers' specifically play games for money. All gamblers playing cards are card players, but not all card players are gamblers.
It is neutral but leans towards informal or everyday language. In very formal writing, one might use alternatives like 'participants in card games' or 'individuals engaged in card play', but these are cumbersome and rarely needed.
People who play card games, either socially or professionally.
Card players, the: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːd ˌpleɪ.əz ðə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːrd ˌpleɪ.ɚz ðə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hold your cards close to your chest.”
- “Play your cards right.”
- “A card up one's sleeve.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a deck of CARDS and people who PLAY with them. They are the CARD PLAYERS.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A GAME OF CARDS (implying strategy, luck, hidden information, and playing one's hand well).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the phrase 'the card players' LEAST likely to be used?