cardsharp

[ kahrd-shahrp ]

noun

1. a person, especially a professional gambler, who cheats at card games.

cardsharp

/ ˈkɑːdˌʃɑːp /

noun

1. a professional card player who cheats

Derived Forms

• ˈcardˌsharping, noun

Other Words From

• card·sharp·ing noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cardsharp¹

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; card ¹ + sharp

Example Sentences

But their plan to create an army of South American cardsharps had a fatal flaw: Neither of them spoke Spanish.

From New York Times

We meet newly married Minna, the daughter of German immigrants, and her husband, Robert, a police officer more used to dealing with cattle thieves and cardsharps than lost boys.

From Washington Post

Watch her closely, the way you might watch the hands of a fast-dealing cardsharp, and be rewarded: a perfect, tiny can-you-believe-this eye roll here, a feline smile melting into laughter there.

From Seattle Times

He lived in his own, strange world populated by hobos, French Canadians, cardsharps, trappers, a pig with a wooden leg, farmers, hooligans, and, for reasons no one will ever understand, Frank Stallone.

From Washington Post

The phrase echoed his resolve to keep in memory his creative forebears: the illusionists and enchanters, the charlatans and cardsharps, the human cannonballs, armless artists, learned animals and practitioners of ancient acts that still amaze.

From New York Times

Related Words

• bum
• liar
• scoundrel
• swindler
• wretch