misdeal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal / Technical (in card games); Literary / Figurative (in extended use).
Quick answer
What does “misdeal” mean?
to deal cards incorrectly in a game.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to deal cards incorrectly in a game.
To distribute or allot something unfairly or incorrectly. Used figuratively for any situation where resources, responsibilities, or opportunities are distributed wrongly.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is equally rare in both varieties outside of card-playing contexts.
Connotations
Neutral/technical in gaming; slightly formal or literary in figurative use.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general corpora. Its use is almost exclusively confined to contexts involving card games or deliberate figurative extension.
Grammar
How to Use “misdeal” in a Sentence
[Subject] misdeals (the cards).[Subject] misdealt [Object] (e.g., the hand).There was a misdeal.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “misdeal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- If you misdeal, the hand is declared void.
- The croupier misdealt and had to restart the shuffle.
American English
- He misdealt the cards, so we had to redeal.
- A misdealt hand is an automatic misdeal.
adjective
British English
- The misdealt cards were placed aside.
- A misdeal situation requires a redeal.
American English
- They set aside the misdealt hand.
- The misdeal round was not counted.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; potentially used metaphorically: 'The merger was a strategic misdeal of assets.'
Academic
Extremely rare outside of game theory or specific historical studies of games.
Everyday
Virtually unused unless discussing card games explicitly.
Technical
Standard term in the rules of many card games (bridge, poker, etc.).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “misdeal”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “misdeal”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “misdeal”
- Using 'misdeal' as a synonym for a 'bad business deal'. Confusing 'misdeal' (v/n) with 'misdial' (v).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. Its core and most common usage is in card games. Any other use is a conscious figurative extension.
Yes. 'The referee called a misdeal' (noun) is as correct as 'He misdealt the cards' (verb).
Both 'misdealt' and 'misdealed' are found, but 'misdealt' is the standard and more common form (analogous to 'deal' -> 'dealt').
For general English, no. It is a low-frequency, specialised term. It is essential vocabulary only for those who play formal card games.
to deal cards incorrectly in a game.
Misdeal is usually formal / technical (in card games); literary / figurative (in extended use). in register.
Misdeal: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsˈdiːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsˈdiːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a misdeal of fate”
- “life's misdeal (both rare and literary)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MIS-take + DEAL cards = MISDEAL.'
Conceptual Metaphor
DISTRIBUTION IS A GAME OF CARDS (when used figuratively: an unfair situation is a misdeal).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'misdeal' most appropriately used?