VocabDictionary

cardboard

/ˈkɑːrd.bɔːrd/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A stiff, thick, heavy-duty paper or pasteboard material used chiefly for making boxes, containers, and packaging.

Example Sentences:
  • We packed all our kitchen dishes into cardboard boxes before moving.
  • The cat spent hours playing inside an empty cardboard carton.
2.adjective

Flimsy, thin, or lacking depth, substance, or realism; superficial.

Example Sentences:
  • The film was criticized for having flat, cardboard characters with no emotional depth.
  • He offered a cardboard excuse that nobody believed.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “cardboard”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the words 'card' (from Old French 'carte', ultimately from Greek 'chartēs', meaning papyrus leaf or paper) and 'board' (from Old English 'bōrd', meaning a flat piece of wood). It was first used in the late 16th century to describe stiff, thick paper or pasteboard used for playing cards and later for boxes and packaging.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of a sturdy BOARD made out of thick PAPER CARDS combined together: CARD + BOARD.

Frequently Asked Questions About “cardboard

1. What is the meaning of “cardboard” in English?

In English, cardboard (noun) is defined as: “A stiff, thick, heavy-duty paper or pasteboard material used chiefly for making boxes, containers, and packaging.”.

2. How do you use “cardboard” in a sentence?

We packed all our kitchen dishes into cardboard boxes before moving.

3. What are English synonyms of “cardboard”?

Common synonyms include:pasteboard,paperboard,carton,fiberboard

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “cardboard”?

Derived from the words 'card' (from Old French 'carte', ultimately from Greek 'chartēs', meaning papyrus leaf or paper) and 'board' (from Old English 'bōrd', meaning a flat piece of wood). It was first used in the late 16th century to describe stiff, thick paper or pasteboard used for playing cards and later for boxes and packaging.