First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1deal
noun \ˈdēl\
Definition of DEAL
2
: a usually large or indefinite quantity or degree <a great deal of support> <a good deal faster>
3
a : the act or right of distributing cards to players in a card game b : hand 9b
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Origin of DEAL
Middle English deel, from Old English dǣl; akin to Old English dāl division, portion, Old High German teil part
2deal
verb
: to give cards to the players in a card game
: to give (something or an amount of something) to someone
: to buy and sell (drugs, art, etc.) as a business
dealt \ˈdelt\ deal·ing \ˈdē-liŋ\
Full Definition of DEAL
transitive verb
1
a : to give as one's portion : apportion <tried to deal justice to all> <dealt out three sandwiches apiece> b : to distribute (playing cards) to players in a game
2
: administer, deliver <dealt him a blow>
intransitive verb
1
: to distribute the cards in a card game
2
: to concern oneself or itself <the book deals with education>
3
a : to engage in bargaining : trade b : to sell or distribute something as a business <deal in insurance>
4
a : to take action with regard to someone or something <deal with an offender> b : to reach or try to reach a state of acceptance or reconcilement <trying to deal with her son's death>
— deal·er \ˈdē-lər\ noun
See deal defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DEAL
before 12th century
Synonym Discussion of DEAL
distribute, dispense, divide, deal, dole out mean to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group. distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts <distributed food to the needy>. dispense suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to due or need <dispensed wisdom to the students>. divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal <three charitable groups divided the proceeds>. deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece <deal out equipment and supplies>. dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply <doled out what little food there was>.
3deal
noun
Definition of DEAL
1
2
3
: treatment received <a dirty deal>
4
: an arrangement for mutual advantage
5
: affair 2 <dinner was an informal deal>
7
: mccoy —used in the phrase the real deal
First Known Use of DEAL
15th century
Other Business Terms
4deal
noun
Definition of DEAL
1
British : a board of fir or pine
2
: pine or fir wood
— deal adjective
Origin of DEAL
Middle English dele, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German, plank; akin to Old High German dili plank — more at thill
First Known Use: 14th century
DEAL[1] Defined for Kids
1deal
noun \ˈdēl\
Definition of DEAL for Kids
1
: an indefinite amount <It means a great deal to me.>
2
: a person's turn to pass out the cards in a card game
2deal
verb
dealt \ˈdelt\deal·ing \ˈdē-liŋ\
Definition of DEAL for Kids
1
: to give out as a person's share <It's your turn to deal the cards.> <The judge dealt out justice to all.>
2
: 1give 8, administer <“… he has done mischief; and blows must be dealt now.” — Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book>
3
: to have to do <This book deals with airplanes.>
4
: to take action <The sheriff dealt with the outlaws.>
3deal
noun
Definition of DEAL for Kids
1
: an agreement to do business <We made a deal to trade baseball cards.>
2
: treatment received <We got a bad deal from the ref.>
3
: an arrangement that is good for everyone involved <The two sides agreed on a deal to end the dispute.>
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