deal
A1/A2 (high frequency, core vocabulary)Universal. Neutral in most uses, but can be informal in phrases like 'big deal' or slang in 'deal with it'.
Definition
Meaning
An agreement or arrangement, especially in business; to distribute or give out.
Can refer to a significant quantity or degree (a great deal); to cope with or manage a situation; to trade in something (e.g., deals in antiques); a secret or underhanded agreement; the distribution of playing cards in a game.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Highly polysemous word. The noun sense ('agreement') and verb sense ('distribute, handle') are equally common and related. Context is crucial for disambiguation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use all major senses. The noun 'a good deal' (meaning a bargain) is slightly more common in AmE. The phrasal verb 'deal in' (to trade) is equally used.
Connotations
Similar. 'It's a deal' is the universal expression for agreement. 'Big deal' can be sincere or sarcastic in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both, with no significant divergence.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] + with + NP (deal with a problem)[V] + in + NP (deal in stocks)[V] + NP + to + NP (deal cards to players)[V] + NP (deal the blow)[N] + between + NP and NP (a deal between companies)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's a deal!”
- “Big deal!”
- “Wheel and deal”
- “Deal a blow”
- “Get a raw deal”
- “Deal with the devil”
- “Seal the deal”
- “Done deal”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Central term for negotiations and agreements ('We closed a multimillion-pound deal').
Academic
Used in discussions of policy, economics, or conflict resolution ('The study deals with the impact of migration').
Everyday
Ubiquitous for agreements, problems, and quantities ('Can you deal with the kids?', 'I have a great deal of work').
Technical
In card games ('It's your turn to deal'). In finance ('He deals in futures').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The teacher will deal out the worksheets.
- We need to deal with this complaint promptly.
- He deals in rare stamps.
American English
- Can you deal the cards?
- The book deals with climate change.
- She deals in real estate.
adverb
British English
- N/A ('Deal' is not an adverb. 'A great deal' is a noun phrase used adverbially: He's a great deal better).
American English
- N/A (Same as British).
adjective
British English
- N/A (No standard adjectival use of 'deal'). Note: 'Deal' can be a noun for a type of wood (pine deal), but this is archaic/technical.
American English
- N/A (No standard adjectival use of 'deal').
Examples
By CEFR Level
- It's a good deal for ten pounds.
- Can you deal with the dog?
- I have a great deal of homework.
- They finally made a deal to share the costs.
- This chapter deals with World War II.
- He was dealt a terrible blow by the news.
- The union struck a deal with management after lengthy negotiations.
- She specialises in dealing with difficult clients.
- The politician was accused of doing a shady deal.
- The treaty constitutes a groundbreaking deal on carbon emissions.
- He deftly dealt with the myriad objections raised by the board.
- The new administration has been dealt a weak hand by the previous economic policies.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine shaking hands on a business DEAL. The handshake looks like a letter 'D', and the agreement is REAL. D-EAL = Done, Executed, Agreement, Legally binding.
Conceptual Metaphor
AGREEMENTS ARE COMMODITIES (strike a deal, close a deal); PROBLEMS ARE OPPONENTS/OBJECTS (deal with an issue, tackle a problem); QUANTITY IS SIZE (a great deal).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'a great deal of' literally as 'большая сделка'. It means 'много' or 'очень'.
- 'Deal with' is broader than 'иметь дело с'. It can mean 'справляться' (cope), 'решать' (solve), or 'заниматься' (handle).
- The noun 'deal' is not always 'сделка'. In 'It's a deal!' it's 'Договорились!'. In 'a good deal' (bargain) it's 'выгодная покупка'.
- Confusing 'deal in' (trade) with 'deal with' (handle).
Common Mistakes
- *I will deal this problem. (Correct: I will deal *with* this problem.)
- *We made a deal about the price. (Preferred: We made a deal *on* the price / *for* the car.)
- Overusing 'a great deal' in formal writing where 'much', 'many', or 'considerably' might be better.
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'He deals primarily with mergers and acquisitions', what is the closest meaning of 'deals with'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral and used in all registers. However, phrases like 'big deal!' or 'deal with it' are informal/slang.
They are often synonyms. 'Deal with' can imply a process over time or with difficulty. 'Handle' can sound more competent and immediate ('She handled the crisis').
No. 'A great deal of' is only used with uncountable nouns (a great deal of time). For countable nouns, use 'a great many' or 'a lot of'.
It's an idiom meaning to engage in clever, complicated, and sometimes dishonest business or political dealings to achieve your aims.
Collections
Part of a collection
Shopping
A2 · 50 words · Vocabulary for buying and selling goods.
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