Definition of deuce
1a (1) : the face of a die that bears two spots (2) : a playing card bearing an index number twob : a throw of the dice yielding two points
2 : a tie in tennis after each side has scored 40 requiring two consecutive points by one side to win
3 [obsolete English deuce bad luck] a : devil, dickens —used chiefly as a mild oath what the deuce is he up to nowb : something notable of its kind a deuce of a mess
From the M-W Editors
Examples of deuce in a Sentence
She beat her opponent after eight deuces.
Origin and Etymology of deuce
Middle English dewes, from Anglo-French deus two, from Latin duos, accusative masculine of duo two — more at two
First Known Use: 15th century
deuce
Definition of deuce
deuced
;deucing
transitive verb
: to bring the score of (a tennis game or set) to deuce
1919
First Known Use of deuce
1919
DEUCE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of deuce for English Language Learners
-
: a playing card that has the number two on it or two symbols on it
-
tennis : a situation in which each side has a score of 40
-
—used to make a question or statement more forceful
Learn More about deuce
-
See words that rhyme with deuce Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about deuce
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up deuce? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!