cardinal

Pluralcardinals

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A senior leader in the Roman Catholic Church, chosen by the pope, who helps pick the next pope.

   Like a top adviser to a king who also helps choose the next king.

   The cardinal led Mass at the cathedral on Sunday morning.

   Each cardinal traveled to Rome when it was time to choose a new pope.

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   A North American songbird with bright red feathers and a pointed crest on its head.

   A bright red cardinal landed on the feeder this morning.

   We watched a cardinal singing from the top of the pine.

   Similarredbird

   Note
3. 3
   adjective

   Used about the four main directions of north, south, east and west.

   Like the four main arrows on a compass: north, south, east, and west.

   A compass shows the four cardinal directions.

   Hikers learn the cardinal points before setting out.

   Note
4. 4
   adjective

   Most important: the main thing that everything else depends on.

   Like the base of a building that holds everything else up.

   Telling the truth is a cardinal rule in our house.

   Safety is the cardinal concern for every pilot.

   Similarfundamental, chief, principal, key, main

   Oppositeminor, secondary

   Note
5. 5
   adjective

   Describing a number that tells how many, like one, two, or three: not the order.

   Like counting toys out loud: one, two, three.

   We learn cardinal numbers like one, two, and three first.

   A cardinal number tells you how many apples are in the basket.

   Oppositeordinal

6. 6
   nouncountableabbreviationellipsis

   Short for cardinal number. It is a number that tells how many things there are.

   Two is a cardinal that tells how many shoes you have.

   Every cardinal in the list counts a group of items.

   Note
7. 7
   adjective

   Having a deep, bright red color.

   Like the color of a ripe red apple.

   She wore a cardinal scarf to the party.

   The team's cardinal jerseys stood out on the field.

   Similarscarlet, crimson

   Note
8. 8
   nouncountable or uncountable

   A deep red color, a little softer than scarlet.

   Like the deep red of a cherry.

   The walls were painted a warm cardinal.

   She chose cardinal for the new curtains.

   Similarscarlet, crimson

   Note
9. 9
   nouncountableabbreviationellipsis

   Short for cardinal numeral. It is a word like 'one' or 'two.'

   In English, 'seven' is a cardinal that we use for counting.

   Children learn each cardinal before tackling words for order.

   Note
10. 10
    nouncountableabbreviationellipsis

    Short for cardinal flower. It is a plant with bright red flowers.

    A tall cardinal bloomed by the edge of the pond.

    We planted a cardinal where the soil stays damp.

    Note

Showing meanings only. Show all 14