deuce: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal in sports (tennis) and exclamatory usage; neutral in card/dice context; archaic in exclamatory sense.
Quick answer
What does “deuce” mean?
The face of a die or playing card showing two spots.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The face of a die or playing card showing two spots; the score of 40-40 in tennis, where either player needs to win two consecutive points to secure the game.
A mild exclamation or oath (e.g., 'what the deuce?') serving as a euphemism for 'devil'. Also used informally to denote a two-dollar bill or a two-year prison sentence in specific slang contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In tennis, identical usage. The exclamatory 'what the deuce?' is slightly more likely to be found in British period literature. The slang for a two-year prison sentence ('catch a deuce') is predominantly American.
Connotations
In tennis, a tense, pivotal moment. As an exclamation, old-fashioned and genteel. Slang uses carry specific subcultural connotations.
Frequency
High frequency in tennis commentary and literature. Low frequency in exclamatory use outside historical fiction.
Grammar
How to Use “deuce” in a Sentence
[be] at deuce[call] deuce[save] a deuce[win from] deuceVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “deuce” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was deuced lucky to get away with that.
American English
- I'm deuced tired after that hike.
adverb
British English
- It's deuce hard to explain.
American English
- He ran deuce fast.
adjective
British English
- It was a deuce of a problem to solve.
American English
- We had a deuce of a time finding the place.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Rare outside historical linguistic studies of oaths or sports science papers on tennis.
Everyday
Primarily in the context of playing tennis, cards, or board games. Exclamatory use is humorous or anachronistic.
Technical
In tennis, a precise scoring state. In probability, a roll of two on a fair die.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “deuce”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “deuce”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “deuce”
- Using 'deuce' for any tied score (only at 40-40 in tennis). Pronouncing it /djuːs/ in American English (it's /duːs/). Confusing 'deuce' with 'juice' in spelling.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A player must win two consecutive points from deuce to win the game. The first point won gives that player 'advantage', and winning the next point wins the game.
No. As an exclamation ('the deuce!'), it is a very mild, old-fashioned euphemism for 'devil' and is not considered offensive.
Its core meaning is always connected to the number two (in games, scores, or slang for two units). The exclamatory use is semantically detached from the number.
It comes from the French 'à deux le jeu', meaning 'to both is the game' (the game is to both players), indicating the need for a two-point lead.
The face of a die or playing card showing two spots.
Deuce is usually informal in sports (tennis) and exclamatory usage; neutral in card/dice context; archaic in exclamatory sense. in register.
Deuce: in British English it is pronounced /djuːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /duːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “what the deuce?”
- “the deuce to pay”
- “deuce a bit”
- “deuce take it/him”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DEUCE has two 'e's, and it means TWO (in cards, dice, or tennis points).
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPETITION IS WAR (tennis: 'battle at deuce'), MINOR ANNOYANCE IS A DEMON (exclamatory use).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a correct use of 'deuce'?