deuce

IPA/djuːs/
KK[dˈus]IPA/duːs/

deuce — noun

1. In tennis, the stage of a game when each player has scored forty points, so one

1.nounB1
Definition

In tennis, the stage of a game when each player has scored forty points, so one side must win two points in a row to win the game.

Example

Yuna won two points in a row to take the game after reaching deuce.

collocation: reach deuce / win two points in a row

The umpire called deuce when both players had forty points.

collocation: called deuce (by the umpire)

Common collocations
  • reach deuce
  • go to deuce
  • the score is deuce
  • after deuce
  • deuce court

Usage Note

This sense only applies to tennis; in table tennis the term is also used but less formally.

Common Mistakes

The match ended at deuce' (final score).
The match went to deuce in the final set.
deuce is a mid-game score, not the final result.

2. The side of a dice that shows two dots, or a playing card with the number two an

2.nounB1
Definition

The side of a dice that shows two dots, or a playing card with the number two and two symbols printed on it.

Example

Vikram rolled a deuce and a five, so he moved seven spaces on the board.

collocation: roll a deuce (dice)

In the card game, Ananya won the trick by playing the deuce of hearts.

collocation: the deuce of [suit] (playing cards)

Common collocations
  • roll a deuce
  • the deuce of [suit]
  • a pair of deuces
  • deuce-deuce
Synonyms
  • two

    the everyday word for the number; deuce is restricted to games

  • two-spot

    an informal name for the same playing card, less common

Usage Note

Used mainly in the context of traditional card games (poker, bridge) and board games that use dice.

Common Mistakes

I have a deuce dollar bill.
I have a two-dollar bill.
deuce is not used for the number two in everyday counting.

3. Used in questions or exclamations to show that you feel annoyed, angry, or surpr

3.nounB2
Definition

Used in questions or exclamations to show that you feel annoyed, angry, or surprised about something.

Example

What the deuce happened to the car keys? I left them right here.

pattern: 'What the deuce...?' for annoyance

Amara cried out, "Where the deuce did that cat disappear to this time?"

Common collocations
  • what the deuce
  • who the deuce
  • how the deuce
  • where the deuce
  • deuce take it
Synonyms
  • heck

    modern, less strong, and more common in everyday speech

  • dickens

    similar old-fashioned mild exclamation

  • the devil

    similar register, slightly stronger

Usage Note

Now considered old-fashioned or mildly humorous; younger speakers are more likely to use 'heck', 'the hell', or 'on earth' instead. Frequently appears in fixed phrases: 'what the deuce', 'who the deuce', 'how the deuce'.

Common Mistakes

Deuce! I stubbed my toe.' (as a standalone curse).
What the deuce is going on here?
deuce typically appears in question-word phrases rather than as a standalone exclamation.

deuce — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These tennis scoring terms all refer to specific game states. 'Deuce' (40-40) is the only one that requires a two-point margin to win. 'Love' means zero points and has no relation to deuce — a game can go from love-15 directly to deuce. 'Advantage' (or 'ad') comes right after deuce: when one player wins the next point, that player has the advantage; if the opposing player then wins the following point, the score returns to deuce. 'Ace' is a serve that the receiver cannot touch — it can happen at any score, including deuce. To remember the distinction: deuce is the tied state, advantage is the lead after deuce, love is the starting zero, and an ace is a type of serve, not a scoring state.

deuce ↗love ↗advantage ↗ace ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • deuce court
  • deuce score

Phrases

  • reach deuce
  • go to deuce
  • deuce in the set
  • call deuce

Prepositions

  • at deuce
  • to deuce
  • after deuce

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'deuce' entered English from the Old French word 'deus', meaning 'two', which comes from Latin 'duos' (accusative of 'duo'). The tennis sense arose because, at 40-40, a player needs two consecutive points to win — hence the association with the number two. The exclamation sense ('what the deuce') developed as a mild oath, probably influenced by an older expression involving 'the devil' or 'the deuce' as a euphemism, with the number-two meaning providing a convenient disguise.