crown and anchor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal, historical, niche
Quick answer
What does “crown and anchor” mean?
A traditional British gambling dice game, often associated with sailors and fairs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A traditional British gambling dice game, often associated with sailors and fairs.
By extension, it can refer to any simple, fast-paced game of chance, or evoke a nostalgic, traditional, or working-class British cultural atmosphere.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively British/Commonwealth. Most Americans would not recognise it unless familiar with British culture or naval history.
Connotations
In the UK: nostalgia, traditional seaside or fairground culture, naval history, working-class pastimes. In the US: largely unknown; if known, carries exotic or archaic British connotations.
Frequency
Very low frequency overall. Higher recognition in the UK, particularly among older generations or in maritime contexts. Virtually zero in general American English.
Grammar
How to Use “crown and anchor” in a Sentence
[Someone] plays crown and anchor.There was a crown and anchor [stall/game].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crown and anchor” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The pub had a crown-and-anchor night.
- He found an old crown-and-anchor board in the attic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Potentially in historical, cultural, or anthropological papers discussing British leisure.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used in nostalgic conversation or describing a historical scene.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crown and anchor”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crown and anchor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crown and anchor”
- Using it as a regular noun phrase (e.g., 'He lost his crown and anchor' meaning literal objects). Treating it as a verb or adjective. Capitalising inconsistently (often not capitalised).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a fixed, multi-word lexical unit, typically written as 'crown and anchor'. It is treated as a single noun phrase naming the specific game.
Yes, it is still played at some traditional British fairs, festivals, or naval events, though it is much rarer than in the past. Sets and rules can be found online.
The six-sided dice are marked with the four suits of playing cards (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) plus a crown and an anchor, giving the game its name.
Indirectly. Many British pubs with this name likely reference naval or royal symbolism. The pub name does not directly imply the dice game was played there, though it might have been.
A traditional British gambling dice game, often associated with sailors and fairs.
Crown and anchor is usually informal, historical, niche in register.
Crown and anchor: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkraʊn ən ˈæŋkə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkraʊn ən ˈæŋkər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “as random as a crown and anchor toss”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture a sailor's CROWN (a gold coin) resting on an ANCHOR, being used as stakes in a dice game on the docks.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRADITION IS A FADED GAME (evokes a specific, tangible past activity to represent a bygone era).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'crown and anchor' primarily?