card shark: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-MediumInformal
Quick answer
What does “card shark” mean?
A person who habitually cheats at card games to win money.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who habitually cheats at card games to win money.
A person who is highly skilled and predatory at card games, especially poker, whether by skillful play or cheating; can sometimes be used more broadly for a cunning, exploitative person in non-gambling contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
"Card sharp" or "card sharper" is the traditional British term. "Card shark" originated in American English and is now widely understood in the UK but may still be considered an Americanism by some.
Connotations
In the US, "card shark" is the dominant, more modern term. In the UK, "card sharp" may sound slightly more traditional or literary. Both carry negative connotations of trickery.
Frequency
"Card shark" is more frequent in contemporary American English. "Card sharp" retains some currency in British English but is declining.
Grammar
How to Use “card shark” in a Sentence
[be/verb] a card shark[play/cheat] like a card shark[watch out for/beware of] the card sharkVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “card shark” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was accused of trying to card-shark his way through the tournament. (rare/derived)
American English
- They suspected he was card-sharking the new recruits at the lodge. (rare/derived)
adverb
British English
- He played card-sharkishly, always looking for an edge. (rare/derived)
adjective
British English
- He had a card-shark mentality about the whole affair. (rare/derived)
American English
- She used card-shark tactics in the negotiation. (rare/derived)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorically used for a ruthless, deceptive negotiator or dealmaker.
Academic
Rare; used in historical or sociological studies of gambling.
Everyday
Used to describe someone known for cheating at cards or being extremely good at them.
Technical
Not a technical term. Used in gambling literature/commentary.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “card shark”
- Confusing 'card shark' with 'pool shark' or 'loan shark' (different contexts of predation). Misspelling as 'card sharp' when intending the American term. Using it as a compliment for a legitimate skilled player (it's derogatory).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very similar, often used interchangeably to mean a cheating card player. 'Card sharp' is the older, traditional British term. 'Card shark' is the dominant American term and is now more common globally.
Rarely. It inherently carries a negative connotation of deceit and exploitation. To praise someone's legitimate skill, use terms like 'card player,' 'expert,' or 'pro.'
Both use the 'shark' metaphor for a ruthless, predatory person. A 'card shark' operates in gambling contexts, while a 'loan shark' lends money at extremely high, often illegal, interest rates.
Both 'card shark' (two words) and 'cardshark' (one word, closed compound) are accepted spellings, though the two-word form is currently more common in dictionaries.
A person who habitually cheats at card games to win money.
Card shark is usually informal in register.
Card shark: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːd ˌʃɑːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːrd ˌʃɑːrk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[He/she] could shark a baby out of its candy. (extension of the predatory metaphor)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SHARK circling its prey. A CARD SHARK circles the card table, looking for weak players to exploit for money.
Conceptual Metaphor
DECEPTION/DISHONESTY IS PREDATION; A CHEATER IS A DANGEROUS ANIMAL (SHARK).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'card shark'?