Card-Shark-Cardsharp | Commonly Confused Words
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Card shark vs. Cardsharp

Card shark

/kɑrd ʃɑrk/
A person who is very skilled at playing card games, often using tricks to win

Examples:

Spotting a card shark at the casino is no easy feat.Rumors spread that she was the best card shark in town.He learned all the tricks to become a renowned card shark.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Cardsharp

A person who is skilled at cheating at card games.

Examples:

The sly cardsharp tricked everyone at the casino.His reputation as a cardsharp kept players on edge.Police suspected him of being a notorious cardsharp.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Card shark tends to be the more popular, modern expression in American English, while cardsharp is often used in British English.
  • Both refer to someone skilled at cards, but cardsharp can imply deceit or trickery more than card shark.
  • When you think of card shark, imagine a shark circling prey, indicating someone who's very good at card games.
  • Cardsharp might make you think of someone sharp or cunning, emphasizing trickery.
  • To remember: both terms imply skill, but cardsharp carries a slightly more negative connotation.
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