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

Pro tip: If you want a poster as a souvenir, something smart I saw last year was someone who brought in their own cardboard poster tube and according to the Coachella FAQ, they are allowed.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

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

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

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

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2026

And a Finnish project called Fold2 has explored using intricately folded cardboard to make packaging inserts designed to protect products during shipping.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

Aunt Maud shook her cardboard fan in the air.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Related Words

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