deal Hear it!

deal¹ Definition

deal (dēl)

transitive verb dealt, deal′·ing

  1. to portion out or distribute
  2. to give; administer to deal someone a blow
  3. ☆ Slang to sell (illegal drugs)

Etymology: ME delen < OE dǣlan, to divide, share, akin to Ger teilen: see deal

intransitive verb

  1. to have to do (with); concern oneself or itself science deals with facts
  2. to act or conduct oneself: followed by with deal fairly with others
  3. to consider or attend to; handle; cope (with) to deal with a problem
  4. to do business; trade (with or in) to deal with the corner grocer, to deal in cutlery
  5. to distribute playing cards to the players
  6. ☆ Slang to sell illegal drugs

noun

    1. the act of distributing playing cards
    2. cards dealt
    3. a player's turn or right to deal
    4. a round of play
  2. a business transaction
  3. ☆ a bargain or agreement, esp. when secret or underhanded
  4. ☆
    1. Informal a particular kind of behavior or conduct toward another; treatment a square deal
    2. a particular plan, policy, or administration, usually involving some sort of distribution the New Deal

deal¹ Idioms

big deal

Informal
  1. ☆ a very important or impressive person or thing
  2. ☆ an exclamation of mock wonderment, admiration, joy, etc.

make a big deal out of

☆

Informal to attach extreme importance to; make a big fuss about

deal² Definition

deal (dēl)

noun

an indefinite, but considerable, amount or degree: now usually preceded by good or great a great deal of trouble

Etymology: ME del < OE dǣl, a part, share, akin to Goth dails

deal³ Definition

deal (dēl)

noun

  1. a fir or pine board of any of several sizes
  2. fir or pine wood

Etymology: ME & MDu dele < PGmc *thela- < IE base *telo-, flat surface, board > Gr tēlia, baker's board, gambling table

adjective

made of deal

deal Synonyms

deal

n.

  1. An agreement, often secret or underhanded

    understanding, settlement, compromise, arrangement; see agreement 3, bargain 2, contract.

  2. A business transaction

    venture, proceeding, dealings, sale; see transaction.

  3. A hand at cards; often used figuratively

    new deal, cut and shuffle, single round, appointment, distribution of cards, honest deal, opportunity, chance, fresh start, square deal.

  4. A lot

    plethora, abundance, superabundance; see plenty.

a good (<strong><em>or</em> </strong>great) deal

a lot, quite a bit, a considerable amount; see much.

make a big deal out of*

expand, magnify, blow up; see exaggerate.

deal Synonyms

deal

v.

  1. To distribute

    apportion, allot, dispense; see administer 2, distribute 1.

  2. To do business with

    trade, traffic, bargain, barter; see buy 1, sell 1.

deal Usage Examples

Object

blow: I think the deniers have been dealt a very serious blow.

Preposition: with

  • complaint: Find out more about how we deal with complaints.
  • issue: They should deal fully with each issue on which the decision will turn.
  • matter: Terms of Reference: To deal with any matter which will not admit of delay.
  • problem: We propose two methods for dealing with the local minima problem.
  • inquiry: Our aim is to deal with enquiries, whenever possible, within twenty-four working hours of receipt.
  • situation: We've been there for each other to deal with the situation.

Adjective modifier

  • great: However, a great deal has stayed in the gulf region.
  • good: To get a good deal on no credit check loans a borrower must search for the right offers.
  • fair: We will give farmers a fairer deal in the market place.
  • big: Carl La Fong Says: June 15th, 2006 at 10:55 am Big deal.
  • cheap: However, beware of the really cheap deals, as some lenders won't offer to pay your transfer fees.
  • two-year: Left-back Clapham, 30, has signed a two-year deal at Molineux after being released by Birmingham City at the end of last season.

Converse of object

  • negotiate: Partner Edmund Probert and Solicitors Silas Brown and Philip Wolfgang negotiated the deal and provided legal advice.
  • sign: Martin signs Microsoft ad deal Demetri Martin has signed a deal to star in Microsoft's new marketing campaign.
  • strike: We struck a deal and I did become his promoter.
  • spend: Our readers are dedicated SF and fantasy fans, and spend a great deal of money on their interest.
  • agree: Once they have agreed a deal with the vendors, only then will they decide on the management's equity stake.

Noun used with modifier

  • sponsorship: The blow will be even harder following the collapsed ITV Digital sponsorship deal with the Nationwide league.
  • mortgage: This should only be payable if you are applying for a special mortgage deal, like a fixed or capped rate mortgage.