id card

id card — noun

IPA/ˌaɪ ˈdiː kɑːd/
IPA/ˌaɪ ˈdiː kɑːrd/

1. A small card, usually made of plastic, that shows a person's photograph, full na

1.nounA2
Definition

A small card, usually made of plastic, that shows a person's photograph, full name, and birth date — used to prove who they are.

Example

Mei showed her ID card at the library to borrow a book.

show + ID card: present it for verification

The guard asked Jack to show his ID card before letting him into the building.

ask + to show + ID card: request for identification

Common collocations
  • show an ID card
  • carry an ID card
  • check an ID card
  • produce an ID card
  • scan an ID card
  • ID card reader
  • school ID card
  • government ID card
Synonyms
  • identity card

    the full, more formal term — used on official documents and in formal writing

  • ID

    everyday abbreviation — the most common spoken form (e.g. 'Have you got your ID?')

  • identification

    broader term that includes ID cards, passports, and drivers' licences

Grammar Patterns

ID card + verb (show/produce/check)

have/carry + an ID card

Usage Note

Also written as ID card (with capitals). In everyday speech, people often shorten this to 'ID' (e.g. 'Have you got your ID?').

Common Mistakes

I left my identity at home.
I left my ID card at home.
'identity' is the concept of who you are; the physical object is an ID card (or just 'ID').
I need to show my ID card for prove who I am.
I need to show my ID card to prove who I am.
use 'to + verb' not 'for + verb' after 'show an ID card'.

id card — verb

IPA/ˌaɪˈdiː ˌkɑːd/
IPA/ˌaɪˈdiː ˌkɑːrd/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'ID card' and 'identity card' refer to the same physical object — a plastic or paper card with a person's photo and details. 'Identity card' is the full, formal term used on government documents and in legal writing. 'ID card' (or 'id card') is the standard everyday form used in signs, forms, and conversation. 'ID' is the most common spoken abbreviation: speakers say 'Have you got your ID?' rather than 'Have you got your ID card?'. 'Identification' is the broadest term — it covers any document that proves who you are, including passports and drivers' licences. For example: 'Her passport counts as valid identification, even though it is not an ID card.'

ID card ↗identity cardID ↗identification ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • proof of identity
  • form of identification

Etymology

EnglishModern English — abbreviation of Latin 'identitas'

'ID' is an abbreviation of 'identity' or 'identification', formed from the first letters of the word. The term 'ID card' came into common use in the mid-20th century as governments and institutions began issuing standardised plastic cards with photographs. The verb sense (to ID someone) grew out of this in the late 20th century, originally British English slang from pub and club culture.

First known use

1937

1937, in the meaning defined above