deal

DEEL/diːl/

Verbdeals, dealing, dealt

Noun pluraldeals

22 meanings of deal

Practice

1
verbintransitive
To do what is needed about a problem, task, or person. To cope with it.
I will deal with the complaints tomorrow.
She dealt with the angry customer very calmly.
UsageSay deal with a problem. The past is dealt: she dealt with it.
Similarcope, contend
Note
2
nouncountable
An agreement or exchange between people or groups, especially in business or politics.
The two countries made a deal to share the water.
It's a deal: you cook and I wash up.
UsageSay make a deal or reach a deal with someone.
Similaragreement, arrangement, bargain, pact, settlement
3
bargainnouncountable
A price or offer that is good for the buyer.
We got a great deal on the flights.
The store has deals on winter coats this week.
UsageSay a good deal on something: a good deal on shoes.
Similarbargain, steal
Oppositerip-off
4
be aboutverbintransitive
To be about a particular subject or to be concerned with it.
The first chapter deals with the history of the town.
These lessons deal with fractions.
UsageA book or lesson deals with a subject.
Similarconcern, address, cover, discuss, explore
Note
5
large amountnoun
A large amount of something, usually in the phrases 'a great deal' or 'a good deal'.
She spends a great deal of time in the garden.
He knows a good deal about cars.
UsageSay a great deal of time or money. For people, say a lot of people.
Similarlot, load, heap, pile, mass
Oppositelittle, bit
Note
6
important matternouncolloquialcountable
A situation or an event, in informal speech.
What's the deal with the closed road?
Missing one class is not a big deal.
UsageCommon in no big deal and what's the deal with something?
Similarevent, thing, affair
7
verbintransitive
To do business with someone, or to buy and sell a certain kind of goods.
Our company has dealt with that supplier for years.
Many small shops deal in old coins and stamps.
UsageDeal with a company; deal in goods like stamps.
Similartrade
Note
8
verbtransitive
To give someone or something a hit, harm, or punishment.
The storm dealt a heavy blow to the fishing fleet.
A good sword can deal a deadly cut.
UsageSay deal a blow to someone, or deal damage in a game.
Similarinflict, deliver, give, administer, cause
Note

Less common meanings

9
give out cardsverbtransitive or intransitive
To give out cards to the players in a card game.
It's your turn to deal.
He dealt five cards to each player.
UsageDeal cards to each player. It's your turn to deal.
Similardistribute, give, hand
10
sell drugsverbtransitive or intransitive
To sell something, especially illegal drugs.
He was arrested for dealing near the school.
Some of the older boys deal drugs on the corner.
UsageHe deals on its own usually means he sells drugs.
Similarsell
11
card roundnouncountable
The giving out of cards in a card game, or a player's turn to do it.
After the deal, each player picks up her cards.
Whose deal is it?
UsageAsk whose deal is it? at the card table.
Similarhand
Note
12
nounslangcountable
A person's way of behaving, especially a strange or annoying one, and the reason for it.
What's his deal? He never says hello.
Her deal is that she has to win every argument.
UsageAsk what's his deal? about someone who acts strangely.
Similarproblem, issue, thing, story
Note
13
unnamed thingnouncolloquialcountable
A thing whose name is not known or not given, in informal speech.
Hand me that deal with the long handle.
What is this little deal for?
UsageOften used with this, that, or little: this little deal, one of those deals.
Similarthingy
Note
14
share outverbtransitive
To share something out among several people.
The captain dealt out the food equally.
The teacher will deal out the crayons to each table.
UsageOften deal out: she dealt out the crayons.
Similarshare, apportion
Note
15
behaveverbintransitive
To behave or act in a certain way toward others.
The judge dealt fairly with rich and poor alike.
Deal kindly with people who are new, and they will remember it.
UsageSay how: deal fairly with people.
Similarbehave, act
Note
16
noununcountable
Soft wood from pine or fir trees that is easy to cut.
The shelves were made of plain deal.
The floor was deal, worn smooth by many feet.
UsageOften after of: a table made of deal.
Similarsoftwood, pine
Oppositehardwood
Note
17
made of pineadjective
Made of deal, the cheap soft wood of pine or fir trees.
A plain deal table stood in the kitchen.
She painted the deal door white to hide the cheap wood.
UsagePut it before the noun: a deal table.
Oppositehardwood
Note
18
nounarchaic
An act of sharing something out, an old use.
19
nounobsolete
An old word for a part, portion, or share of something.
Similarshare, portion, allotment, apportionment
Note
20
verbobsoleteintransitive
To act or to take action, an old meaning.
Wel said syr Uwayne go on your waye, and lete me dele.
1470, Thomas Malory, Le Morte DarthurHere, dele means to act or take action, especially in a fight.
Note
21
noundated
A board of pine or fir wood used for building.
22
verb
In baseball, to throw the ball to the batter.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of deal apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 5, 19

From Old English dǣl, meaning a part, share, or portion.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

Deal descends from Old English dǣl, meaning part, share, or portion. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 1–4, 6–15, 18, 20

From Old English dǣlan, meaning to divide or share out.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

Deal derives from Old English dǣlan. en.wiktionary.org
Old English dǣlan meant to divide or share out. en.wikisource.org

Meanings 16–17

From Middle Low German dele, meaning a plank or board.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

Deal derives from Middle Low German dele. en.wiktionary.org
Middle Low German dele meant a plank or board. en.wikisource.org