cribbage board: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “cribbage board” mean?
A rectangular board, typically wooden, with a series of holes used to keep score in the card game cribbage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rectangular board, typically wooden, with a series of holes used to keep score in the card game cribbage.
Any physical or digital scoring device specifically designed for the rules and progression of the game cribbage, sometimes also used figuratively to represent meticulous or incremental tracking.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The game 'cribbage' is spelled identically and played with identical rules in both regions.
Connotations
Both share connotations of traditional games, pubs (UK), or family gatherings. In the US, it may have stronger associations with older generations or nautical contexts.
Frequency
Slightly more common in UK/Irish usage due to cribbage's historical popularity there, but well-known in the US among card game enthusiasts.
Grammar
How to Use “cribbage board” in a Sentence
[Player] scored the points on the cribbage board.They used a beautiful [Material] cribbage board.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cribbage board” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We'll need to cribbage-board our way through this tournament.
- (Note: 'cribbage' is not conventionally verbed; this is highly non-standard).
American English
- He cribbage-boarded the score meticulously.
- (Note: 'cribbage' is not conventionally verbed; this is highly non-standard).
adverb
British English
- They played cribbage-board slowly. (Non-standard, hypothetical)
- The points were tallied cribbage-board. (Non-standard, hypothetical)
American English
- He counted the points cribbage-board. (Non-standard, hypothetical)
- They proceeded cribbage-board down the track. (Non-standard, hypothetical)
adjective
British English
- He had a lovely cribbage-board finish on the table. (Figurative, rare)
- The event had a cribbage-board feel to the scoring. (Figurative)
American English
- She preferred the cribbage-board style of keeping score. (Figurative)
- It was a cribbage-board kind of night. (Figurative, implying a long game)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable. Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in historical or game theory contexts discussing traditional games.
Everyday
Used when discussing or playing the game cribbage.
Technical
Specific to the equipment for the card game cribbage.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cribbage board”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cribbage board”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cribbage board”
- Misspelling as 'cribage board' or 'cribbidge board'.
- Using 'cribbage' as an adjective for other types of boards (e.g., 'cribbage chess board').
- Confusing it with a 'scorecard' (cribbage requires a specific board with holes).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a two-word compound noun, typically written as two separate words.
Technically yes, using pencil and paper, but the board with its pegs is the traditional and standard method integral to the game's experience.
The holes form a track (often 120 holes) for two pegs per player. The "leapfrogging" of pegs prevents errors and allows easy tracking of the score relative to the winning total (usually 121).
No, it is played in many English-speaking countries (e.g., Canada, Australia) and has enthusiasts worldwide, but its historical heartland is England and North America.
A rectangular board, typically wooden, with a series of holes used to keep score in the card game cribbage.
Cribbage board is usually neutral in register.
Cribbage board: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪbɪdʒ bɔːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪbɪdʒ bɔːrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Ahead by a street on the cribbage board (meaning: far ahead in scoring).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'CRIB' for a baby's bed, but in cribbage, it's a hand of cards. The BOARD is where you track your score as you move pegs along like a baby taking first steps.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A GAME / PROGRESS IS MOVEMENT ALONG A PATH (The pegs moving along the board metaphorically represent progress or advancement in the game).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a cribbage board?