cardinal
10 synonyms and 1 antonym for cardinal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Of central or fundamental importance.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Of central or fundamental importance.
“Being on time is a cardinal virtue for anyone who works in a hospital.”
Opposites
How to use cardinal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
cardinal rule
cardinal sin
cardinal directions
Etymology
From Latin cardinalis, "pertaining to a hinge," from cardo, "hinge" — something a cardinal rule or point everything else "turns" on.
Full origin of cardinal →Frequently asked questions
What does “cardinal” mean?
The word “cardinal” means of central or fundamental importance. In plain terms, something of central importance, a deep red color, a high-ranking Catholic official, or a red North American songbird.
How do you pronounce “cardinal”?
“Cardinal” is pronounced KAHD-nuhl (/ˈkɑɹd(ɪ)nəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “cardinal” in a sentence?
Here is “cardinal” used in a sentence: “Honesty is a cardinal rule in this office.”
What part of speech is “cardinal”?
Depending on how it is used, “cardinal” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “cardinal” come from?
The word “cardinal” comes from Latin. From Latin cardinalis, "pertaining to a hinge," from cardo, "hinge" — something a cardinal rule or point everything else "turns" on.
Is “cardinal” a common word?
“Cardinal” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cardinal” have?
“Cardinal” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: of central or fundamental importance.
What is the difference between "cardinal numbers" and "ordinal numbers"?
Drawing on the "fundamental" sense of cardinal, cardinal numbers count quantity: one, two, three. Ordinal numbers show position or order: first, second, third. Cardinals tell how many; ordinals tell in what order.
Why is the cardinal bird called a "cardinal"?
The North American songbird is named for the male's bright red feathers, which resemble the deep red robes worn by a cardinal of the Catholic Church. The color, the church official, and the bird are all linked through that shade of red.
What is a "cardinal rule" or "cardinal sin"?
These phrases use the adjective sense of cardinal, meaning of central or fundamental importance. A cardinal rule is a most important, unbreakable rule, and a cardinal sin is a most serious fault or error.
What are the "cardinal directions"?
The cardinal directions are the four main points of the compass: north, south, east, and west. The term uses the "fundamental importance" sense of cardinal, since these are the principal reference directions.
