identity card
B1Formal, Official
Definition
Meaning
An official document issued by a government or authority that identifies the holder and proves their identity, typically including a photograph, name, date of birth, and unique number.
Can refer to any official card used to verify a person's identity, including cards issued by schools or workplaces, often with embedded data or a microchip in modern versions. In extended metaphorical use, it can refer to something that establishes a core characteristic or affiliation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a compound noun. The concept emphasizes official verification rather than simple personal identification (like a business card). In many countries, it is mandatory to carry one.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'identity card' is the standard term, historically associated with 'ID card' and the abbreviation 'ID'. In American English, 'ID card' is more common in everyday speech, while 'identity card' is more formal or bureaucratic. The phrase 'national ID card' is used on both sides to specify a state-issued document.
Connotations
In the UK, 'identity card' can have political connotations due to historical debates over their introduction and abolition. In the US, the term may evoke discussions about government overreach and privacy, with 'state ID' or 'driver's license' being more neutral, functional terms.
Frequency
'Identity card' has higher frequency in UK legal and official texts. In US spoken English, 'ID' or 'some ID' is vastly more frequent (e.g., 'Can I see your ID?').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB + identity card (carry, present, show, check)ADJECTIVE + identity card (valid, fake, official, biometric)identity card + VERB (expires, identifies, proves)identity card + NOUN (number, photo, holder, scheme)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Card-carrying member (related, but not directly)”
- “Your papers, please! (cinematic/cliché request for identity card)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Required for background checks and official verification of employees or clients.
Academic
Discussed in political science (civil liberties), sociology (surveillance), and law (identity fraud).
Everyday
Used when asked for proof of age or identity at a bank, airport, or police checkpoint.
Technical
Refers to smart cards with RFID chips, biometric data templates, and digital signatures in security engineering.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The system is designed to identity-card all residents.
- You must have your identity carded before entry.
American English
- The new policy will ID-card every citizen.
- The bouncer carded everyone at the door (colloquial for checking ID).
adjective
British English
- The identity-card scheme was controversial.
- He faced an identity-card check.
American English
- The ID-card requirement is posted.
- It's an ID-card-only event.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have an identity card. It has my photo.
- The police officer asked for my identity card.
- You must carry your identity card with you at all times in this country.
- To open a bank account, you need to show a valid identity card and proof of address.
- The proposal for a compulsory national identity card was met with concerns over privacy and data protection.
- The forgery detection features on the new biometric identity cards are highly sophisticated.
- Critics argue that a ubiquitous identity card system creates a surveillance infrastructure that could be exploited.
- The identity card, far from being a mere administrative tool, functions as a material symbol of one's relationship with the state.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'I-D' entity Card. The 'I-D' (Idea of 'I' and 'D' for Document) proves your identity.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDENTITY IS A DOCUMENT / PROOF IS A KEY (Your identity card is the key to accessing services or proving who you are).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'удостоверение личности' for all contexts, as it is a broader term. 'Identity card' is more specific, like 'идентификационная карта' or 'ID-карта'. Do not confuse with 'passport' ('паспорт'), which is a specific type of travel identity document.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'identity' alone to mean the card (e.g., 'I forgot my identity' - incorrect). Forgetting the article 'an' (e.g., 'You need identity card' - incorrect; correct: 'You need an identity card'). Using plural 'identities card' instead of 'identity cards'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'identity card' LEAST likely to be used in modern American English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A driver's license is a specific type of identity card that also grants permission to drive. An identity card is a general-purpose identification document. In some countries, a driver's license is the primary form of ID; in others, a separate national ID card exists.
Yes, in informal contexts, especially in American English, 'IDs' is commonly used (e.g., 'We checked their IDs'). In more formal or British contexts, 'identity cards' or 'ID cards' is preferred for the plural.
'Identification' is the uncountable process or act of identifying someone, or the evidence used. An 'identity card' is a specific, physical object (a card) used for that purpose. You show your identity card as a form of identification.
No, that is incorrect. 'Identity' is an abstract concept. You must specify the document: 'Please show me your identity card' or '...your identification' (uncountable, but correct).