deck
/dek/ (bre, ipa) · /dek/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdek/ (ame, mw)
deck — noun
- decksingular
- decksplural
1. a flat, open surface on a boat or ship where people can walk, stand, or sit whil
a flat, open surface on a boat or ship where people can walk, stand, or sit while outside.
Nellie stood at the railing of the deck and watched the sunset over the harbour.
preposition phrase: at the railing of the deck
The crew mopped the wooden deck every morning before the passengers came out.
collocation: mop the deck
From the upper deck, passengers could see dolphins swimming alongside the boat.
The captain stood on the deck and gave orders to the sailors below.
- platform
more general; not specific to ships
文法句型
the deck
on deck
deck of [ship]
用法筆記
Frequently used with location prepositions: 'on deck' (outside on the platform), 'below deck(s)' (inside the ship).
2. one of the passenger levels on a bus that has two floors.
one of the passenger levels on a bus that has two floors.
Tamar sat up on the top deck and enjoyed the view of the city streets.
collocation: top deck + of the bus
The lower deck of the double-decker bus has space for pushchairs and luggage.
Pim always sits on the lower deck because he does not like climbing the stairs.
João climbed to the top deck and sat down near the front window.
- level
more general, less specific to the bus context
文法句型
top/bottom/lower/upper deck
用法筆記
This sense is most common with 'double-decker' buses in the UK. North American English typically uses 'upper level' or 'lower level' instead.
常見錯誤
3. a raised outdoor wooden platform built against a house, used for sitting, dining
a raised outdoor wooden platform built against a house, used for sitting, dining, or relaxing.
Élise's parents built a wooden deck behind the house for summer barbecues.
collocation: build a deck
After dinner, the family took their drinks out to the deck and watched the stars.
preposition phrase: out to the deck
A wooden deck needs to be sealed every few years to protect it from rain.
Felix bought new chairs and a small table for the deck behind his flat.
- patio
a paved area at ground level rather than a raised wooden platform
文法句型
build a deck
on the deck
wooden deck
用法筆記
In North America, 'deck' usually refers to a raised wooden structure. A 'patio' is a paved ground-level area — the two are not interchangeable.
常見錯誤
4. a floor or level inside a ship, especially one that is partly or fully below the
a floor or level inside a ship, especially one that is partly or fully below the main outside platform.
The ship's dining room is on Deck Three, next to the kitchen and storage rooms.
usage: Deck + number (capitalised)
The crew members sleep in small cabins on the lower deck near the engine room.
collocation: lower deck
Ife went below deck to fetch a life jacket from her cabin during the storm.
Samir worked in the kitchen on the lower deck, preparing meals for over a hundred passengers.
文法句型
lower deck
below deck(s)
deck [number]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (BOAT PLATFORM): sense 1 is the open outdoor surface; sense 4 is the interior levels of a ship. 'Below deck(s)' functions as an adverb meaning 'inside the ship, not on the open platform.'
5. a collection of 52 cards divided into four suits, from hearts to spades, that pe
a collection of 52 cards divided into four suits, from hearts to spades, that people use to play games like poker or bridge.
Shirin shuffled the deck and dealt five cards to each player around the table.
collocation: shuffle the deck
A standard deck has four suits: hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades.
Camille bought a new deck of cards so her family could play games on the train.
Gabriel lost two cards from the deck and could not play a full game of poker.
- pack
more common in British English for a set of cards
文法句型
a deck of cards
shuffle the deck
a deck of 52
用法筆記
In British English, 'pack of cards' is more common than 'deck of cards', though both are understood. 'Deck' is dominant in North American English.
6. a group of slides prepared using software, shown one after another during a talk
a group of slides prepared using software, shown one after another during a talk or meeting.
Christopher prepared a deck of twelve slides for his sales presentation to the board.
collocation: a deck of ... slides
The consultant sent her slide deck to the client the day before the morning meeting.
collocation: slide deck
A good presentation deck uses pictures and short bullet points rather than long paragraphs.
Jisoo updated her slide deck with fresh charts and figures before the quarterly review.
- slides
shorter and very common in the same context
文法句型
a deck of slides
slide deck
presentation deck
用法筆記
This is modern business jargon, used informally and semi-formally in workplace settings. 'Slide deck' is more common than just 'deck' alone.
7. a component in an audio setup designed to play or record sound from discs, casse
a component in an audio setup designed to play or record sound from discs, cassettes, or tapes.
Ari inserted the cassette into the deck and pressed the play button gently.
collocation: [cassette] + deck
The old tape deck in the corner still works, though the sound is a little crackly.
collocation: tape deck
Constanza connected the CD deck to the amplifier and speakers for the party.
Hamza found a dusty cassette deck in his father's attic and tried to play an old mixtape.
文法句型
tape deck
cassette deck
CD deck
用法筆記
Increasingly historical — most common in 'tape deck' (cassette player) or 'CD deck' (CD player component). Modern music systems rarely use the term.
deck — verb
- deckpresent simple I / you / we / they
- decks3rd person singular
- decking-ing form
- deckedpast simple
1. to decorate a place or object with colourful or attractive things, often for a s
to decorate a place or object with colourful or attractive things, often for a special occasion such as a festival or celebration.
The students decked the school hall with colourful paper flowers and streamers for the dance.
passive: be decked with + decorative items
For the festival, the entire street was decked with lanterns and long red ribbons.
The Watanabe family decked their house in gold and red for the New Year celebration.
The hall was decked with flowers and banners for the graduation ceremony.
- decorate
more neutral and formal; 'deck' suggests more abundant or striking decoration
文法句型
deck [place] with [decorations]
be decked with [decorations]
deck [place] out in [colours/styles]
用法筆記
Very frequently used in passive form ('be decked with/in'). The phrasal verb 'deck out' is more emphatic, suggesting elaborate or abundant decoration.
2. to hit a person with enough force to make them fall to the ground, especially wi
to hit a person with enough force to make them fall to the ground, especially with a single punch or blow.
One punch from the boxer decked his opponent in the first round of the match.
In the film, the hero decks the villain with a single blow to the jaw.
collocation: deck + with + body part (a blow, a punch)
The guard tried to grab the thief, but a sudden elbow from behind decked him.
A single punch from the larger fighter decked his opponent instantly in the ring.
- knock down
neutral and common in all registers; less dramatic
- floor
similar register — informal and dramatic
文法句型
deck [somebody] with [a blow]
deck [somebody] [adverb]
用法筆記
This is informal, even slang. It is not appropriate in formal writing or polite conversation. 'Punch' or 'knock down' are safer alternatives in most situations.