domino

domino — noun

1. one of a set of small flat rectangular game tiles, typically made from a hard ma

1.nounB1
Definition

one of a set of small flat rectangular game tiles, typically made from a hard material such as wood or plastic, with a line across the middle that splits the face into two squares, each square showing a number of dots from zero to six, used in domino games

Example

Rin picked up a domino from the pile and checked the dots on each side.

pick up + check dots — typical actions with a domino

Hugo knocked over a row of domino tiles while reaching for his drink.

Common collocations
  • a set of dominoes
  • domino tile
  • matching dominoes
  • play a domino
  • domino pieces
  • a row of dominoes
Synonyms
  • tile

    a broader term for any flat rectangular game piece, not specific to dominoes

  • piece

    very general; can refer to any component of a board game

  • block

    emphasises the shape and solid material of the object

Grammar Patterns

domino + verb

a/the domino

dominoes (plural)

Usage Note

The plural form 'dominoes' is commonly used when referring to the pieces as a collection or set. A single piece is always 'a domino'.

Common Mistakes

He placed a dominoes on the table.
He placed a domino on the table.
'dominoes' is the plural form; use 'domino' for one tile.

2. a game in which two or more players take turns placing tiles face up on a table,

2.nounB1
Definition

a game in which two or more players take turns placing tiles face up on a table, matching the dots at the open ends, with the aim of being the first to use up all of their tiles

Example

Anya and her grandfather played domino every Sunday after lunch.

play domino — uncountable usage as a game name

The children spent the rainy afternoon learning how to play domino.

Common collocations
  • play domino
  • a game of dominoes
  • a set of dominoes
  • domino tournament
  • domino rules

Grammar Patterns

play domino

a game of dominoes

Usage Note

This sense is uncountable — you do not say 'a domino' to mean the game. The game is also commonly called 'dominoes' (with an -es ending), especially in British English.

Common Mistakes

I bought a new domino.' (meaning a game set)
I bought a new set of dominoes.
the game itself is uncountable; refer to the collection of pieces as 'dominoes' or 'a set of dominoes'.

3. a full-length hooded outer robe that hangs loosely over the body, traditionally

3.nounC1
Definition

a full-length hooded outer robe that hangs loosely over the body, traditionally paired with a small half mask and worn to formal costume parties where guests dress up in disguise

Example

At the masquerade ball, Vivek wore a black domino over his evening suit.

wear a domino — typical masquerade context

The domino covered Apinya from her shoulders down to her ankles, hiding her dress completely.

covered from shoulders to ankles — describes the length of the cloak

Common collocations
  • wear a domino
  • a black domino
  • a velvet domino
  • in a domino
  • domino and mask
Synonyms
  • cloak

    a broader term for any loose outer garment without sleeves; less specific than domino

  • cape

    shorter and usually without a hood; not identical to a domino

  • masquerade cloak

    a descriptive term that clarifies the costume context

Grammar Patterns

a domino

wear a domino

in a domino

Usage Note

This historical meaning is rarely encountered outside costume history books, period fiction, or descriptions of 18th- and 19th-century Venetian carnivals. In modern contexts, 'cloak' or 'masquerade costume' is far more common.

Common Mistakes

She draped a domino over her shoulders.' (meaning a scarf)
She put on a domino for the masquerade ball.
a domino is a full-length hooded cloak, not a small shoulder wrap.

4. a small mask that covers the area from the forehead down to just below the eyes,

4.nounC1
Definition

a small mask that covers the area from the forehead down to just below the eyes, leaving the mouth and chin exposed, often worn at masquerade events or costume parties

Example

Sivan wore a simple white domino that covered only her eyes during the carnival parade.

white domino covering only the eyes — describes the mask type

The domino left Valentina's mouth and chin uncovered, letting her eat and talk with ease.

Common collocations
  • wear a domino
  • a white domino
  • a velvet domino
  • domino mask
  • remove a domino
Synonyms
  • half mask

    the modern descriptive term for any mask covering only the upper face

  • eye mask

    a common modern term, though it can also refer to sleep masks

  • masquerade mask

    a broader term that includes any decorative party mask

Grammar Patterns

a domino

wear a domino

Usage Note

In modern English, this type of mask is more often called an 'eye mask' or 'half mask'. The term 'domino' for a mask is now very rare and largely historical.

Common Mistakes

She wore a domino that covered her whole face.
She wore a domino that covered only her eyes and the upper part of her face.
a domino mask specifically leaves the lower face exposed.

Word family

  • domino effect
    noun phraseB2
  • domino theory
    noun phraseC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While domino and tile can both refer to flat rectangular game objects, tile is much broader — it includes the small squares used in mahjong, Scrabble, and many other games, whereas domino is specific to the dot-marked pieces in the game of dominoes. Piece is even more general: it covers any component of a board game, including cards, counters, and miniature figures. Block emphasises the size and material shape of the object rather than its function in a game. For example, you might call a plain wooden cube a block, but once it has dots printed on it and is used in a game, it is a domino. When describing game pieces precisely in English, domino is the correct term for these specific tiles.

tile ↗piece ↗block ↗

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'domino' came into English from French, where it originally described a black hooded cloak worn by Christian priests in winter. That French word came from Latin 'dominus', meaning 'lord' or 'master' — priests would chant the phrase 'benedicamus Domino' ('let us praise the Lord'). The game pieces acquired the same name because their black backs with white dots resembled the black domino cloak lined with white fabric. The masquerade costume meaning appeared in English in the 1700s, and the game meaning followed in the early 1800s.