tarot
C1Neutral to informal, occasionally technical within esoteric/divination contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A set of 78 illustrated cards, used primarily for fortune-telling, psychological reflection, and symbolic exploration.
The practice or system of divination, self-discovery, or meditation using tarot cards; can also refer to a specific deck of such cards (e.g., the Rider-Waite tarot).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun, though verb usage ('to tarot' meaning 'to read tarot cards') is emerging. Refers to both the physical deck and the practice itself. Often associated with mysticism, occult, and New Age beliefs.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA). Both use the same term.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotations range from spiritual tool to pseudoscience. Slightly more mainstream in contemporary wellness contexts in recent years.
Frequency
Comparably low frequency in both, with slight spikes in lifestyle/spirituality media.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to do/have a tarot readingto read (someone) the tarotto consult the tarot (for/about something)a reading of the tarotVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The cards never lie (associated phrase, not a strict idiom)”
- “to be in the cards (idiom derived from cartomancy)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not applicable. Possibly in niche marketing for spiritual services.
Academic
Used in studies of religion, cultural history, esotericism, or psychology (e.g., 'Jungian interpretation of tarot archetypes').
Everyday
Used when discussing hobbies, spirituality, or entertainment (e.g., 'She had her tarot read at the fair.').
Technical
Specific terminology within divination/occult studies (e.g., 'reversed meaning of the Three of Swords').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She offered to tarot for me to see what the week held.
- I don't tarot professionally; it's just for friends.
American English
- She offered to tarot for me to see what the week held.
- He tarots every morning for personal guidance.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial use.
American English
- No standard adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- She attended a tarot workshop.
- The tarot symbolism was complex.
American English
- It was a tarot-themed party.
- He has a tarot blog.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- These are tarot cards.
- She has a tarot deck.
- I saw a woman doing tarot readings at the market.
- My friend bought a beautiful tarot deck.
- Some people consult the tarot for guidance during difficult times.
- The symbolism in the Rider-Waite tarot is particularly rich and well-known.
- While sceptical of its predictive power, she found the tarot a useful tool for introspection and brainstorming narrative ideas.
- Academic studies of the tarot often focus on its evolution from a Renaissance card game to a modern divinatory system.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: TAROT cards often tell a TALE, and both words share the 'ta-' sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A GAME OF CARDS (where the tarot reveals one's hand/future). THE FUTURE IS A HIDDEN TEXT (where the tarot is a tool for deciphering it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "таро" (taro), a tropical plant/root vegetable. In Russian, карты Таро is the full phrase.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'taro' (the edible root).
- Mispronouncing the final 't' (it is silent).
- Using as a plural countable noun (e.g., 'I bought a new tarot' not 'I bought new tarots').
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common association of the word 'tarot'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the final 't' is silent in both British and American English. It is pronounced 'TARR-oh' or 'TARE-oh'.
Informally, yes. To 'tarot' or 'tarot read' means to perform a tarot card reading, though it's not yet considered standard formal usage.
Tarot has a fixed structure (78 cards: 22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana). Oracle cards are any divination cards that don't follow this structure; they have more varied themes and numbers of cards.
Both are used, but 'a tarot deck' is more precise and common. 'A tarot' is a shortening understood in context (e.g., 'I bought a new tarot').