dice
7 synonyms for dice, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Small cubes marked with numbers of dots, used in games of chance; plural of "die."
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. noun
Small cubes marked with numbers of dots, used in games of chance; plural of "die."
“He rolled the dice and moved his piece four spaces.”
How to use dice
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
roll the dice
dice an onion
a pair of dice
Etymology
From Middle English dys, plural of "die"; the spelling later shifted to reflect its pronunciation as a single collective word.
Full origin of dice →Frequently asked questions
What does “dice” mean?
The word “dice” means small cubes marked with numbers of dots, used in games of chance; plural of "die.". In plain terms, the small numbered cubes used in games, or the act of chopping food into cubes.
How do you pronounce “dice”?
“Dice” is pronounced dys (/daɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “dice” in a sentence?
Here is “dice” used in a sentence: “He rolled the dice and moved his piece four spaces.”
What is another word for “dice”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dice” include astragals.
What part of speech is “dice”?
Depending on how it is used, “dice” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “dice” come from?
The word “dice” comes from Middle English. From Middle English dys, plural of "die"; the spelling later shifted to reflect its pronunciation as a single collective word.
Is “dice” a common word?
“Dice” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dice” have?
“Dice” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: small cubes marked with numbers of dots, used in games of chance; plural of "die.".
What is the difference between "dice" and "die"?
"Die" is technically the singular form and "dice" the plural, referring to the small numbered cubes used in games of chance. In everyday speech, though, most people now use "dice" for both one and many, and "a die" sounds formal or old-fashioned outside specific gaming contexts.
When should you use "dice" as a verb instead of "chop" or "cube"?
Use "dice" when a recipe calls for cutting food into small, uniform cubes rather than larger or irregular pieces, which is what "chop" usually implies. "Cube" is close in meaning but tends to describe slightly larger pieces than dicing produces.
