draughtboard

IPA/ˈdrɑːftbɔːd/
IPA/ˈdræftbɔːrd/

draughtboard — noun

1. a square playing board with alternating dark and light squares, used in the game

1.nounC1
Definition

a square playing board with alternating dark and light squares, used in the game of draughts.

Example

The tournament organizer placed a wooden draughtboard on each table.

a wooden draughtboard

After supper, the children set up the draughtboard and counted the pieces.

set up the draughtboard

Common collocations
  • wooden draughtboard
  • magnetic draughtboard
  • set up a draughtboard
  • play on a draughtboard
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

set up a draughtboard

play on a draughtboard

a wooden draughtboard

Usage Note

This is mainly a British word because the game is called 'draughts' in British English. In American English, people usually call the same game 'checkers' and the board a 'checkerboard'.

Common Mistakes

We played draughtboard after dinner.
We played draughts after dinner.
'draughtboard' names the board, not the game.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A draughtboard is the board used for playing draughts, the game called checkers in American English. Checkerboard is the usual American word and can also describe the same black-and-white square pattern outside the game. Draughts board is a transparent two-word alternative that is easy to understand, especially for learners who already know the name of the game. Use draughtboard when the context is British English or when the word appears in game instructions or equipment lists.

draughtboard ↗checkerboard ↗draughts board

Common collocations

Nouns

  • wooden draughtboard
  • magnetic draughtboard

Phrases

  • set up a draughtboard
  • play on a draughtboard
  • put pieces on a draughtboard

Prepositions

  • on a draughtboard
  • beside the draughtboard

Etymology

English

A compound of 'draught', the British name used in the game name 'draughts', and 'board'. The word means the board on which draughts is played.