cardinal

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈkɑː.dɪ.nəl/ or /ˈkɑːd.nəl/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈkɑrdɪnəl/ or /ˈkɑrdnəl/

• Audio (US)

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• Audio (AU)

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Adjective

Positive cardinal

Comparative more cardinal

Superlative most cardinal

1. A cardinal rule, sin, or principle is one of fundamental importance; it is very important.
2. The cardinal directions are the main four ones: (north, east. south, west).
3. The cardinal numbers are the ones you count with (one, two, three, ...) and not of the ones you rank with (first, second, third, ...).

Noun

Singular cardinal

Plural cardinals

A cardinal.

A cardinal.

1. (countable) A cardinal is a kind of bird found in the Americas.

   A cardinal made a nest in our tree.

2. (countable) A cardinal is a high-ranking priest in the Roman Catholic Church.

   Four is a cardinal.