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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

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."
adj
1
Lacking depth or realism; flat and unconvincing.
"Critics complained the movie's villain felt like a cardboard character."

How to Use Cardboard

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word Forms

cardboards plural

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Test yourself on “cardboard” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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."

Rhymes for cardboard

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.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial