card table: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “card table” mean?
A small, portable table specifically designed for playing card games.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, portable table specifically designed for playing card games.
A table, often foldable, used primarily for games or other social activities, often kept in a living area but not as a main dining table.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. The object and its name are identical in both varieties.
Connotations
In both cultures, it connotes domestic leisure, social gatherings, and traditional parlour games. It may carry a slightly old-fashioned or genteel connotation.
Frequency
Equally common and understood in both regions, though perhaps less frequently used in everyday conversation in the modern era.
Grammar
How to Use “card table” in a Sentence
[verb] + card table: set up, unfold, put away, gather around, sit atVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in furniture retail or manufacturing contexts.
Academic
Rarely used. Could appear in historical or sociological studies of domestic life.
Everyday
Common in contexts describing home furnishings, games nights, or social events.
Technical
Used in furniture design and manufacturing specifications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “card table”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “card table”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “card table”
- Using 'card table' to refer to a table where business cards are displayed (incorrect).
- Confusing it with a 'cardboard table' (a table made of cardboard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but it commonly is for easy storage. The key feature is its designated use for card games, not its mechanism.
You can, but it is not its primary design purpose. It is typically smaller and less stable than a proper dining table.
A coffee table is low and placed in front of a sofa, primarily for holding drinks and magazines. A card table is chair-height and designed for seated gameplay.
Yes, 'bridge table' is a common synonym, especially for tables used for the game of bridge, though 'card table' is the more general term.
A small, portable table specifically designed for playing card games.
Card table is usually formal in register.
Card table: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːd ˌteɪbl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːrd ˌteɪbl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Under the table (idiom relating to secret payments, not directly related to card tables)”
- “Turn the tables (idiom meaning reverse a situation)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CARD TABLE: You need a TABLE to lay your CARDS on.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SURFACE FOR LEISURELY COMPETITION.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a 'card table'?