Cardinal
/ˈkɑrdɪnəl/
nounadjectiveB2
Definition
As an adjective, cardinal means something very important or basic, like a main rule or idea. As a noun, a cardinal can be a church leader in the Catholic Church, or it can be a small bird with bright red feathers.
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See It in Action
Adjective: Very important or main
- •Honesty is a cardinal rule in this school.
- •The cardinal point of the plan is safety.
- •Respect is a cardinal value in our family.
Noun: A high-ranking official in the Catholic Church
- •The cardinal will help choose the new pope.
- •Cardinals wear red robes during important ceremonies.
- •The cardinal spoke to the crowd from the church balcony.
Noun: A bright red bird found in North America
- •I saw a beautiful cardinal in the garden today.
- •The cardinal’s red feathers are easy to spot in winter.
- •Cardinals sing a clear, sweet song in the morning.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "cardinal" like "important" (A1 word), but it means the most important or main thing.
- ✓Picture a bright red bird sitting on a tree branch—this bird is called a cardinal.
- ✓It's the feeling when you know one rule is the most important and all others depend on it.
- ✓Sounds like "CAR-din-al" → imagine a car driving in a straight line, always going to the main or important place.
- ✓Think of the red bird you see in winter, standing out in the snow—that is a cardinal bird.
- ✓As a church leader, a cardinal is like a "boss" of many priests, very important in the church.
- ✓NOT like "normal" or "small"—cardinal means big or main importance.
- ✓NOT like "common bird"—the cardinal bird is special because of its bright red color.
Try Other Words
- •Principal: most important (Use when talking about main ideas or rules in formal situations)
- •Chief: highest in rank or importance (Use for people or things with top status)
- •Essential: absolutely necessary (Use when something must be there or done)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: From Latin "cardinalis" meaning "principal, chief, important"
- •Etymology: Comes from Latin "cardo" meaning "hinge" or "pivot"—something that everything else depends on or turns around
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe something central or very important; later used for church officials who had key roles
- •Modern usage: Used to describe important rules, points, or people, and also the name of a bright red bird common in North America
Reflect & Connect
•What are some cardinal rules you follow in your daily life? Why do you think they are so important?
•How does knowing the different meanings of "cardinal" help you understand texts about religion, nature, and rules better?
Fill in the blanks
1.Honesty is a cardinal ___ in many cultures because it helps people trust each other.
2.The cardinal bird is easy to see in winter because of its bright ___ color.
3.A cardinal in the church has the ___ job of helping to choose the pope.
4.Safety is a cardinal ___ when working in dangerous places.
5.The cardinal bird’s song is ___ and clear, often heard in the morning.
6.The cardinal rule ___ that you must always tell the truth.
7.Unlike other birds, the cardinal’s feathers are ___ red all year long.