cardboard
gb/kˈɑɹdbˌɔɹd/ us/kˈɑɹdbˌɔɹd/
B1
English
karton, kartonlap, kartonból készült, lapos, egydimenziós, élettelen
NOUN
B1
1
karton
A2
Usage pattern:
[uncountable] cardboard
The new phone arrived in a cardboard box with protective padding inside.
Az új telefon egy kartondobozban érkezett, belül védőpárnázással.
We collected cardboard for recycling after the move.
A költözés után összegyűjtöttük a kartont újrahasznosításra.
She cut the cardboard into strips to make a simple model.
Learner examples
This box is made of cardboard.
Ez a doboz kartonból készült.
Please recycle the cardboard.
Kérlek, tedd a kartont a szelektív gyűjtőbe.
Common mistake:
Often used as an uncountable noun (some cardboard), but you can say a piece/sheet of cardboard when counting.
Meaning
thick stiff paper material
Collocations
corrugated cardboard
|cardboard packaging
|cardboard box
|cardboard carton
|cardboard tube
|recycled cardboard
|cardboard waste
|cardboard sheets
|cardboard display
|cardboard cutout
Synonyms
paperboard (A common term for thick paper, especially in packaging.)
|
corrugated board (Specifically cardboard with a ridged inner layer, often used for shipping boxes.)
Antonyms
plastic (A different common packaging material, not made from paper.)
Themes
daily_life
|materials
|shopping
|crafts
|environment
Definition
Thick paper used to make boxes.
A thick, stiff type of paper used especially for making boxes, packaging, and simple craft items.
NOUN
B1
2
kartonlap
B1
Usage pattern:
a piece/sheet of cardboard
He wrote the address on a piece of cardboard and taped it to the package.
Ráírta a címet egy kartonlapra, és ráragasztotta a csomagra.
The kids painted a cardboard sign for the school play.
A gyerekek kartontáblát festettek az iskolai előadáshoz.
Use a sheet of cardboard to protect the table while you cut the fabric.
Learner examples
I need a piece of cardboard.
Szükségem van egy kartonlapra.
She made a sign from cardboard.
Kartonból készített egy táblát.
Common mistake:
Avoid saying 'a cardboard' by itself; say 'a piece/sheet of cardboard' unless you name the object (a cardboard box).
Meaning
a piece or sheet of cardboard
Collocations
a piece of cardboard
|a sheet of cardboard
|a thick piece of cardboard
|cardboard sign
|cardboard backing
|cardboard poster
|cardboard model
|cardboard template
|cardboard divider
|cardboard folder
Synonyms
poster board (Often used for presentation posters; not always as thick as packaging cardboard.)
|
board (A broad term; may also refer to wood or other stiff materials.)
Antonyms
paper (Thinner and less stiff than cardboard.)
Themes
daily_life
|crafts
|school
|materials
Definition
One flat piece of thick paper.
A piece or sheet of thick, stiff paper used for signs, backing, or crafts.
B1
3
Usage pattern:
a cardboard [box/tube/sign]
The cereal comes in a cardboard box with a plastic liner inside.
A gabonapelyhet kartondobozban árulják, belül műanyag tasakkal.
They used a cardboard tube to store the poster without creasing it.
Kartoncsövet használtak a poszter tárolására, hogy ne gyűrődjön meg.
The gift set included a cardboard insert to keep everything in place.
Learner examples
It is a cardboard box.
Ez egy kartondoboz.
I bought a cardboard folder.
Vettem egy kartonmappát.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse the adjective in noun phrases (a cardboard box) with the noun material (made of cardboard).
Meaning
made of cardboard
Collocations
cardboard box
|cardboard packaging
|cardboard carton
|cardboard tube
|cardboard container
|cardboard sign
|cardboard sleeve
|cardboard insert
|cardboard tray
|cardboard divider
Synonyms
paperboard (More common in packaging descriptions; often sounds slightly more technical.)
Antonyms
plastic (Made from plastic instead of cardboard.)
|
metal (Made from metal instead of cardboard.)
Themes
materials
|daily_life
|shopping
Definition
Made from thick paper.
Made from cardboard.
C1
4
Usage pattern:
a cardboard [character/performance]
The hero is a cardboard character with no real motivation.
A főhős lapos karakter, nincs valódi motivációja.
Despite the beautiful cinematography, the dialogue feels cardboard and forced.
A gyönyörű képi világ ellenére a párbeszéd laposnak és erőltetettnek hat.
Her first performance was a bit cardboard, but she improved quickly.
Learner examples
The characters felt cardboard.
A szereplők laposnak tűntek.
His acting was wooden, almost cardboard.
Az alakítása merev volt, szinte élettelen.
Common mistake:
This is a figurative meaning; it does not mean 'made of cardboard' in these contexts.
Meaning
flat, lifeless, unconvincing
Collocations
cardboard character
|cardboard villain
|cardboard dialogue
|cardboard plot
|cardboard performance
|cardboard acting
|a rather cardboard portrayal
|a cardboard stereotype
|cardboard emotions
|cardboard hero
Synonyms
flat (Common for characters that feel one-dimensional.)
|
wooden (Often used for stiff, unconvincing acting.)
|
one-dimensional (Emphasizes lack of complexity.)
Antonyms
nuanced (Shows subtlety and complexity.)
|
lifelike (Feels real and believable.)
Themes
arts
|media
|opinions
Definition
Not interesting or realistic; like a stereotype.
Lacking depth, realism, or individuality; dull and unconvincing, especially when describing a character, performance, or story.
Grammar
Dictionary form
cardboard
IPA
GB/kˈɑɹdbˌɔɹd/
US/kˈɑɹdbˌɔɹd/
Syllables & stress
card - board (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (card)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: cardboard
- Plural: cardboard
Word family
Expressions
cardboard box
1/kˈɑɹdbˌɔɹd bˈɑks/
fixed phrase
box made from cardboard
A box made of thick paper.
Examples
- All our books are packed into cardboard boxes.
- The package arrived crushed because the cardboard box was too thin.
- She kept old photos in a cardboard box under the bed.
Learner examples
- Put it in a cardboard box.
- I need two cardboard boxes.
cardboard city
1/kˈɑɹdbˌɔɹd sˈɪti/
fixed phrase
informal
makeshift shelters of cardboard
A place where people live in temporary shelters, sometimes made from cardboard.
Examples
- The article described a cardboard city that had formed under the bridge.
- Local volunteers brought food and blankets to the cardboard city downtown.
- Officials said they would provide temporary housing instead of clearing the cardboard city.
cardboard cutout
1/kˈɑɹdbˌɔɹd kˈʌtˌaʊt/
fixed phrase
life-size cardboard figure
A flat picture of a person on cardboard, cut into shape.
Examples
- The cinema put a cardboard cutout of the actor in the lobby.
- We took photos next to the cardboard cutout at the store entrance.
- On stage he looked like a cardboard cutout, barely reacting to anything.
Learner examples
- There is a cardboard cutout of a singer.
- I took a photo with the cardboard cutout.
cardboard tube
1/kˈɑɹdbˌɔɹd tˈub/
fixed phrase
hollow cardboard cylinder
A long round tube made of cardboard.
Examples
- The poster was shipped in a cardboard tube to prevent damage.
- Save the cardboard tubes from paper towels for craft projects.
- He stored the blueprints in a cardboard tube.
Learner examples
- The poster is in a cardboard tube.