Cardinal Definition & Meaning

cardinal
adjective
  1. serving as an essential component; "a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem"; "an example that was fundamental to the argument"; "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure"
  2. being or denoting a numerical quantity but not order; "cardinal numbers"
noun
  1. (Roman Catholic Church) one of a group of more than 100 prominent bishops in the Sacred College who advise the Pope and elect new Popes
  2. the number of elements in a mathematical set; denotes a quantity but not the order
  3. a variable color averaging a vivid red
  4. crested thick-billed North American finch having bright red plumage in the male

Synonyms for cardinal

ane adj

used of a single unit or thing; not two or more; "`ane' is Scottish"

♫ Rhymes
billion adj

denoting a quantity consisting of one thousand million items or units in the United States denoting a quantity

♫ Rhymes
c adj

being ten more than ninety a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature the speed at which light travels in a vacuum

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
carmine adj

of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange)

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
central adj

serving as an essential component; "a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
d adj

denoting a quantity consisting of 500 items or units a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets the cardinal number

♫ Rhymes
dozen adj

denoting a quantity consisting of 12 items or units the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

♫ Rhymes
eight adj

being one more than seven the cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one a group of United States painters

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
eighteen adj

being one more than seventeen the cardinal number that is the sum of seventeen and one

♫ Rhymes
eighty adj

being ten more than seventy the cardinal number that is the product of ten and eight

♫ Rhymes

"Cardinal" in song lyrics

See how cardinal is used in real songs:

  • "Sinkin' in the lungs of the quiet Cardinal"
    Black Market Militia — Black Market
  • "cast and crew of the movie the cardinal"
    AOL — AOL
  • "chief donald cardinal"
    AOL — AOL

Words that rhyme with cardinal

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Usage tips for "cardinal"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "cardinal" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for cardinal to find words that pair well.

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♫ Rhymes with cardinal ↔ Synonyms for cardinal 🔬 Words containing cardinal

Frequently asked questions

What does cardinal mean?
serving as an essential component; "a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem"; "an example that was fundamental to the argument"; "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure" being or denoting a numerical quantity but not order; "cardinal numbers" (Roman Catholic Church) one of a group of more than 100 prominent bishops in the Sacred College who advise the Pope and elect new Popes the number of elements in a mathematical set
What part of speech is cardinal?
Cardinal is an adjective and a noun.
How many definitions does cardinal have?
Cardinal has 6 definitions across 2 parts of speech (adjective, noun).

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