a flat, thumbsized, rectangular block, the face of which is divided into two parts, each either blank or bearing from one to six pips or dots: 28 such pieces form a complete set.
(used with a singular verb) dominoes, any of various games played with such pieces, usually by matching the ends of pieces and laying the dominoes down in lines and angular patterns.
a large, hooded cloak with a mask covering the eyes, worn at masquerades.
the mask.
a person wearing such dress.
a small rectangular block used in dominoes, divided on one side into two equal areas, each of which is either blank or marked with from one to six dots
(modifier) exhibiting the domino effect
a domino pattern of takeovers
a large hooded cloak worn with an eye mask at a masquerade
the eye mask worn with such a cloak
First recorded in 1710–20; perhaps special use of domino 2
First recorded in 1710–20; from Italian: “hood and mask costume,” from Medieval Latin or Middle French: “black hood worn by priests in winter”; obscurely akin to Latin dominus “lord, master”
A domino is a small rectangular block used in the game dominoes. Each block has anywhere from 0 to 6 dots. A domino is a small, black rectangular game piece with white dots. In the game called dominoes, sides of the dominoes with equal numbers are matched. Dominoes are also stood up to create elaborate patterns that look pretty impressive when they’re knocked down. If you set them up right, knocking down the first domino will knock down hundreds and even thousands of others. This use of dominoes inspired the domino effect, when one action inevitably causes others.
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The team combined field work, seismic and satellite data to reconstruct a domino chain of events and trace the height of the wave.
From BBC • May 6, 2026
Thomas worries about the domino effect this oil crunch will have on everything else he buys, as the rising cost of transport pushes up the prices of everyday goods like food and clothing.
From Barron's • May 2, 2026
The end of Sora is most certainly not the first domino or the bursting of the AI bubble.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
“We would not be surprised if Cliffwater is the canary in the coal mine and will be the first domino in the ‘bank run’ we foresee,” Rosen wrote in the letter, which the Journal reviewed.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026
“Grade-A jerk, remember? Anyways, about the letter,” I said, and then paused, biting my lip as I considered the domino of events that were already in motion.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
