blackjack

1 of 2

noun

black·​jack ˈblak-ˌjak 

1

a

: a card game the object of which is to be dealt cards having a higher count than those of the dealer up to but not exceeding 21

called also twenty-one, vingt-et-un

b

: an ace and a face card or ten as the first two cards dealt to a player in the game of blackjack

called also natural, twenty-one

2

: a hand weapon typically consisting of a piece of leather-enclosed metal with a strap or springy shaft for a handle

3

: a tankard for beer or ale usually of tar-coated leather

4

: sphalerite

5

: an often scrubby oak (Quercus marilandica) chiefly of the southeastern U.S.

called also blackjack oak

blackjack

2 of 2

verb

blackjacked; blackjacking; blackjacks

transitive verb

1

: to strike with a blackjack

2

: to coerce with threats or pressure

Synonyms of blackjack

Verb

• force
• coerce
• compel
• obligate
• oblige
• muscle

Examples of blackjack in a Sentence

Verb

you cannot blackjack me into going along with this

an extortionist trying to blackjack a shopkeeper into paying protection money

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Jessica Alba, Jon Hamm, Ryan Phillippe, Rachel Zoe, Grace Van Patten, Brooks Nader, John Stamos and Hannah Bronfman posed on and around a blackjack table. —Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 8 Mar. 2026

The casino floor features nearly 1,100 slot machines alongside electronic versions of table game classics like blackjack and roulette. —Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026

Verb

Kyle Kirkland, head of the California Gaming Association, told CBS News Sacramento this would outlaw blackjack and allow for stricter changes to player-dealer games. —Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026

But casinos are also a popular amenity on cruise ships, with everything from slots and roulette to blackjack often on board. —Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

black entry 1 + jack entry 1

Verb

derivative of blackjack entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for blackjack

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

blackjack

noun

black·​jack

ˈblak-ˌjak

1

: a small leather-covered club with a flexible handle

2

: a small oak of the southern U.S. with very dark bark