Cardinal Meaning in English

word

US

/ˈkɑɹdənəɫ/

KAR-di-nuhl

UK

/kˈɑːdɪnəl/

KAH-di-nuhl

Definition

'Cardinal' can mean a high-ranking official in the Catholic Church, a bright red songbird, or a basic number (like 1, 2, 3).

Usage & Nuances

Very formal when referring to the church; neutral otherwise. In math or grammar, 'cardinal number' means basic counting numbers. The bird 'cardinal' is famous for its bright red color. Don't confuse with 'ordinal' (first, second, third). Context is needed to tell which meaning is intended.

• Spanish: cardenal (ave - religioso alto rango) - cardinal (número)
• Portuguese (BR): cardeal (ave - religioso alto escalão) - cardinal (número)
• Portuguese (PT): cardeal (ave - religioso de alto grau) - cardinal (número)
• Chinese (Simplified): 红衣主教（天主教高级神职人员） - 红雀（鸟） - 基数（数字）
• Chinese (Traditional): 紅衣主教（天主教高級神職人員） - 紅雀（鳥） - 基數（數字）
• Hindi: कार्डिनल (पक्षी - कैथोलिक पद) - मूल संख्या (गणना)
• Arabic: كاردينال (رتبة دينية عليا) - كاردينال (طائر) - عدد أساسي
• Bengali: কার্ডিনাল (ক্যাথলিক চার্চের পদবী) - কার্ডিনাল (লাল পাখি) - মৌলিক সংখ্যা (গণনা করার জন্য)
• Russian: кардинал (церковный сан) - кардинал (птица) - количественное число
• Japanese: 枢機卿（カトリック教会の高位聖職者） - コウカンチョウ（鳥） - 基数
• Vietnamese: hồng y (chức danh Công giáo) - chim hồng y - số đếm
• Korean: 추기경 (가톨릭 고위 성직자) - 홍관조(새) - 기수(수의 종류)
• Turkish: kardinal (Katolik kilisesi yetkilisi) - kardinal (kırmızı kuş) - asli sayı
• Urdu: کارڈینل (کیتھولک رتبہ) - کارڈینل (سرخ پرندہ) - اصل عدد
• Indonesian: kardinal (pejabat tinggi Katolik) - burung kardinal - bilangan pokok

Example Sentences

The cardinal is one of the most important members of the Catholic Church.

basic

A bright red cardinal sat on the tree branch.

basic

Three is a cardinal number.

basic

Becoming a cardinal requires years of service and dedication.

natural

I love watching cardinals come to my backyard in the spring.

natural

In English, we use cardinal numbers like 'five' and 'ten' to count things.

natural