picture card: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumNeutral
Quick answer
What does “picture card” mean?
A playing card that displays a face figure (king, queen, or jack) rather than a number.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A playing card that displays a face figure (king, queen, or jack) rather than a number.
A card with a photograph or illustration used for educational purposes, identification, or collecting.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both dialects use the term. In games, 'court card' is a formal British alternative, while Americans rarely use it.
Connotations
Neutral in both, though 'picture card' may sound slightly more informal than 'court card' in UK.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English; 'court card' is chiefly British.
Grammar
How to Use “picture card” in a Sentence
[subject] + dealt + [indirect object] + a picture card[subject] + collect + picture cards[subject] + use + picture cards + [prepositional phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “picture card” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He picture-carded his way to victory in the tournament.
American English
- She picture-carded her opponent with a lucky draw.
adverb
British English
- He played picture-card wisely during the final round.
American English
- She collected picture-card enthusiastically for years.
adjective
British English
- The picture-card game was popular in Victorian times.
American English
- He had a picture-card collection worth thousands.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; may refer to promotional cards with images.
Academic
Used in linguistics or education for visual teaching aids.
Everyday
Common in card games and children's learning.
Technical
In computing, sometimes refers to graphical interface cards.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “picture card”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “picture card”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “picture card”
- Using 'photo card' interchangeably (photo cards are specific to photographs).
- Confusing 'picture card' with 'postcard'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in the context of playing cards, they are synonyms, though 'face card' is more common in American English.
No, that is typically called a 'photo ID card' or 'photo credit card'. 'Picture card' is not standard for this.
It derives from the illustrative, non-numerical designs on playing cards, dating to 15th-century European decks.
No, jokers are distinct; picture cards traditionally refer only to kings, queens, and jacks/knaves.
A playing card that displays a face figure (king, queen, or jack) rather than a number.
Picture card is usually neutral in register.
Picture card: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɪktʃə ˌkɑːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɪktʃɚ ˌkɑːrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hold your picture cards close to your chest.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PICTURE CARD: Painted Illustrations Create The Ultimate Royal Deck.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A VISUAL REPRESENTATION (for educational cards).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is a British English alternative to 'picture card'?