adj
Common
cardinal
KAHD-nuhl
Cardinal (adj) means of central or fundamental importance. Example: “Being on time is a cardinal virtue for anyone who works in a hospital.”
adj
1
Of central or fundamental importance.
"Being on time is a cardinal virtue for anyone who works in a hospital."
"The cardinal principle of the game is to play fair."
"Honesty is a cardinal rule in this office."
2
Deep red in color, like a Catholic cardinal's robes.
"The curtains were a rich cardinal shade that glowed in the evening light."
"He painted the front door cardinal to stand out from the grey houses."
"She wore a cardinal red dress to the gala."
noun
1
A senior official of the Catholic Church, ranking just below the Pope.
"The cardinal led the long service in the great cathedral."
"A cardinal is chosen by the Pope and often advises him on important matters."
"The cardinals gathered in Rome to elect a new pope."
2
A North American songbird known for the male's bright red feathers.
"We spotted a bright red cardinal singing from the top of a tree."
"A male cardinal is easy to see against the snow in winter."
"A cardinal landed on the feeder outside the kitchen window."
How to use cardinal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething of central importance, a deep red color, a high-ranking Catholic official, or a red North American songbird.
Common pairings
cardinal rule
cardinal sin
cardinal directions
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more cardinal
- Superlative
- most cardinal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Being on time is a _____ virtue for anyone who works in a hospital.
Etymology
From Latin cardinalis, "pertaining to a hinge," from cardo, "hinge" — something a cardinal rule or point everything else "turns" on.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for cardinal
See all rhymes for 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.
