deuce

¹ American  

[doos, dyoos] / dus, dyus /

noun

1. Cards. a card having two pips; a two, or two-spot.

2. Dice.

   1. the face of a die having two pips.

   2. a cast or point of two.

3. Tennis. a situation, as a score of 40–40 in a game or 5–5 in a match, in which a player must score two successive points to win the game or two successive games to win the set.

4. Slang.

   1. a two-dollar bill.

   2. the sum of two dollars.

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adjective

1. (especially in games, sports, and gambling) two.

deuce ² American  

[doos, dyoos] / dus, dyus /

noun

1. devil; dickens (used as a mild oath).

   Where the deuce did they hide it?

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deuce ¹ British  

/ djuːs /

noun

1. 1. a playing card or dice with two pips or spots; two

   2. a throw of two in dice

2. tennis a tied score (in tennis 40-all) that requires one player to gain two successive points to win the game

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deuce ² British  

/ djuːs /

interjection

1. an expression of annoyance or frustration

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noun

1. (intensifier) used in such phrases as what the deuce, where the deuce, etc

Etymology

Origin of deuce¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English deus, dewes, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin duōs (masculine accusative of duo ) “two”

Origin of deuce²

First recorded in 1645–55; apparently to be identified with deuce ¹

Example Sentences

Draper was only taken to deuce once, and that was when he served for the match at 5-2 up in the second.

From BBC

It went to eight deuces before a netted backhand allowed Siniakova to level the set at 3-3 before another ding-dong battle in the next game.

From Barron's

The Ukrainian, ranked 92 and facing a player inside the top 50 for the first time, consolidated with a hold after six deuces in the second game to take charge.

From Barron's

A double fault at deuce when 5-3 down gave King a third match point - and Riggs sent a volley into the net to confirm her victory.

From BBC

Sinner, who was taken to deuce just once in 10 service games, did not let up and sealed victory with an ace before being serenaded by his home crowd.

From BBC

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