cardboard

American  

[kahrd-bawrd, -bohrd] / ˈkɑrdˌbɔrd, -ˌboʊrd /

noun

1. a thin, stiff pasteboard, used for signs, boxes, etc.

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adjective

1. resembling cardboard, especially in flimsiness.

   an apartment with cardboard walls.

2. not fully lifelike; shallow; two-dimensional.

   a play with cardboard characters.

cardboard British  

/ ˈkɑːdˌbɔːd /

noun

1. 1. a thin stiff board made from paper pulp and used esp for making cartons

   2. ( as modifier )

      cardboard boxes

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adjective

1. (prenominal) without substance

   a cardboard smile

   a cardboard general

Etymology

Origin of cardboard

First recorded in 1840–50; card ¹ + board

Explanation

The heavy, rigid paper that's used to make the boxes you use for mailing things is called cardboard. Cardboard also comes in handy for crafts and projects in classrooms. A lot of cardboard is made from several layers of thick paper, so that it's stiff and strong, and protects items inside cardboard boxes. You can also use the word cardboard to describe a fictional character who doesn't seem real: "The mother in the movie was such a cardboard character." In the 18th century, cardboard was known as card paper.

Example Sentences

In reality, my dad’s will was in a cardboard box next to the Christmas decorations.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

Each year, guests at the Academy Awards are given a small cardboard box of snacks left beneath their seats to get them through the always lengthy ceremony.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

They’re not cardboard cutouts, exactly, but they’re blank enough slates for us to project onto.

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2026

A new cardboard box for the sandwiches will help, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

The middle of the clearing was piled high with cardboard boxes, spoiled food, old mattresses, and all kinds of other junk.

From "Mystery Map (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #3)" by Franklin W. Dixon

Related Words

• badge
• calendar
• check
• label
• poster
• program
• sheet
• ticket