dice: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “dice” mean?
Small cube with numbered sides used for games of chance, or to cut food into small cubes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Small cube with numbered sides used for games of chance, or to cut food into small cubes.
Plural of 'die'; refers to two or more such cubes. As a verb, it means to chop food into small cube-shaped pieces, similar to the shape of a die.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Both accept 'dice' as singular and plural in everyday speech, though 'die' remains the formal singular.
Connotations
In gambling contexts, it can have negative connotations. In cooking, it is neutral.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “dice” in a Sentence
to dice + [food item] (e.g., dice the carrots)to roll + [determiner] + dice (e.g., roll the dice)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dice” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Could you dice the potatoes for the stew?
- He carefully diced the ham into neat cubes.
American English
- Dice the tomatoes before adding them to the salsa.
- The recipe says to dice the celery finely.
adverb
British English
- The carrots were cut dice-small.
American English
- Chop the onion dice-style for the chili.
adjective
British English
- The diced vegetables cooked faster.
- Serve with a side of diced avocado.
American English
- Add the diced chicken to the pan.
- She preferred diced fruit in her yogurt.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphor for taking risks, e.g., 'We rolled the dice on the new marketing strategy.'
Academic
Used in probability and statistics contexts.
Everyday
Games, cooking instructions.
Technical
Used in game design, probability theory.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dice”
- Using 'dices' as a plural form (incorrect). 'Dice' is already plural.
- Using 'die' for food preparation (incorrect). Use 'dice' as a verb.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, 'dice' is the plural of 'die'. In modern everyday English, 'dice' is commonly used for both singular and plural. The singular 'die' is still used in formal writing and fixed expressions.
'Dice' means to cut into small cubes of even size. 'Chop' is more general and can mean to cut into pieces of varying size. 'Mince' means to cut into very small, fine pieces, smaller than diced.
Yes, 'to dice' means to cut food into small cube-shaped pieces.
It means a decision has been made or an action has been taken that cannot be changed, and the consequences must be faced. It originates from Latin, attributed to Julius Caesar.
Small cube with numbered sides used for games of chance, or to cut food into small cubes.
Dice is usually neutral in register.
Dice: in British English it is pronounced /daɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /daɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The die is cast.”
- “No dice.”
- “Dice with death.”
- “Loaded dice.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'i' in 'dice' as a single dot on a die face.
Conceptual Metaphor
Life is a game of dice; future events are uncertain and subject to chance.
Practice
Quiz
In the context of games, which sentence is correct?