cardboard
5 synonyms for cardboard, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A stiff, heavy paper material used to make boxes and packaging.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A stiff, heavy paper material used to make boxes and packaging.
“They packed the dishes in a large cardboard box.”
2. adj
Lacking depth or realism; flat and unconvincing.
“Critics complained the movie's villain felt like a cardboard character.”
unlifelike
How to use cardboard
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
cardboard box
cardboard cutout
cardboard character
Etymology
A compound of "card" (in the old sense of stiff paper) and "board."
Full origin of cardboard →Frequently asked questions
What does “cardboard” mean?
The word “cardboard” means a stiff, heavy paper material used to make boxes and packaging. In plain terms, stiff, thick paper used for boxes — or, describing something, flat and unconvincing (like a poorly written character).
How do you pronounce “cardboard”?
“Cardboard” is pronounced KAHD-bawd (/ˈkɑɹdˌbɔɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “cardboard” in a sentence?
Here is “cardboard” used in a sentence: “They packed the dishes in a large cardboard box.”
What part of speech is “cardboard”?
Depending on how it is used, “cardboard” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “cardboard” a common word?
“Cardboard” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “cardboard” have?
“Cardboard” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a stiff, heavy paper material used to make boxes and packaging.
What is the difference between cardboard and corrugated cardboard?
"Cardboard" is a general term for stiff, heavy paper material, while corrugated cardboard specifically refers to the type with a wavy inner layer sandwiched between two flat sheets, giving it extra strength for shipping boxes. Plain cardboard, like that used for cereal boxes, is thinner and less rigid than the corrugated kind.
What does it mean to describe a character or performance as cardboard?
When used figuratively, cardboard describes something that lacks depth or realism, such as a flat, unconvincing character in a story or a performance that feels wooden. The comparison draws on cardboard's flatness and stiffness as a stand-in for something lifeless or artificial.
