cardboard
KAHD-bawd
Cardboard (noun) means a stiff, heavy paper material used to make boxes and packaging. Example: “They packed the dishes in a large cardboard box.”
noun
1
A stiff, heavy paper material used to make boxes and packaging.
"They packed the dishes in a large cardboard box."
"Please flatten the cardboard before you put it in the recycling bin."
"The children built a little castle out of old cardboard and glue."
adj
1
Lacking depth or realism; flat and unconvincing.
"Critics complained the movie's villain felt like a cardboard character."
"The play was fun, but most of the minor roles felt like cardboard figures."
"A cardboard hero with no flaws is hard for readers to care about."
How to use cardboard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStiff, thick paper used for boxes — or, describing something, flat and unconvincing (like a poorly written character).
Common pairings
cardboard box
cardboard cutout
cardboard character
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Word forms
- Plural
- cardboards
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They packed the dishes in a large _____ box.
Etymology
A compound of "card" (in the old sense of stiff paper) and "board."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for cardboard
board
hoard
aboard
onboard
keyboard
cupboard
outboard
seaboard
backboard
starboard
surfboard
clipboard
See all rhymes for 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.
