Ace of spades
/ˈeɪs əv speɪdz/
noun phraseB2
Definition
The ace of spades is a card from a deck of playing cards. It usually has one large spade symbol and is often the highest or most valuable card in many card games. Beyond games, it is sometimes used as a symbol for luck, death, or power in stories, music, and culture.
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⚡ See It in Action
The playing card with one large spade, usually the highest card
- •He played the ace of spades to win the game.
- •The ace of spades is often the most valuable card in many card games.
- •She drew the ace of spades in the last round and took the lead.
A symbol of power, luck, or danger in culture and stories
- •The ace of spades is sometimes called the "death card" in stories.
- •Soldiers used the ace of spades as a symbol during war for luck or fear.
- •The band named "Ace of Spades" is famous for loud rock music.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "ace of spades" like "king" or "queen" in cards, but often the most special or strongest card in the deck.
- ✓Picture a black spade symbol shaped like a pointed leaf or heart with a stem, standing out big on a card.
- ✓It feels like the card you want to have when playing poker or other games because it can help you win.
- ✓Sounds like "ACE of SPADES" → imagine an ace (best) jumping over spades (the black leaf shapes) to win a game.
- ✓Remember famous songs or movies where the ace of spades means luck or danger, like in rock music or war stories.
- ✓NOT like "two of hearts" (a low or normal card), the ace of spades is special and often the highest.
- ✓NOT like "joker" (wild card), the ace of spades is a normal card but very important.
- ✓NOT just a card, but also a symbol used in culture to mean power, luck, or sometimes death.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Trump card: a card that beats others (Use when talking about a card that wins over others in a game)
- •Top card: the best or highest card (Use in casual talk about the strongest card)
- •Death card: a cultural or symbolic name for the ace of spades (Use when referring to its symbolic meaning of danger or death)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "ace" (the best or highest card) + "of" (shows belonging) + "spades" (one of the four suits in cards, symbolized by a black pointed leaf)
- •Etymology: "Ace" comes from Latin "as," meaning a unit or one; "spades" comes from Italian "spada," meaning sword, referring to the shape of the symbol
- •Historical development: The ace of spades became important in card games over centuries; in some countries, it was decorated specially for tax or identification reasons
- •Modern usage: Used in card games as a strong card and in culture as a symbol of luck, power, or danger
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Why do you think the ace of spades is often seen as the most powerful card in games and culture?
•Can you think of a time when a symbol like the ace of spades was used to show luck or danger in a story or movie?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.In many card games, the ace of spades is ___ the highest card, so players try to ___ it.
2.The ace of spades is often called the "death card" because it is ___ with ___ or danger in stories.
3.Unlike a normal card, the ace of spades usually ___ special meaning beyond just the game.
4.When a player uses the ace of spades, it can ___ their chance to win the round or game.
5.Soldiers in some wars used the ace of spades ___ a symbol to ___ fear or luck.
6.The ace of spades is ___ a black spade symbol and ___ one large symbol on the card.
7.In music and culture, the ace of spades is ___ to represent power, ___, or risk.