account current
C1/C2Formal, Technical, Financial
Definition
Meaning
A running or ongoing financial statement detailing transactions between parties over a specific period, typically showing a present, unsettled balance.
In a broader sense, it can refer to any ongoing record or report of recent events or activities, especially in a business or professional context, where matters are still pending or in progress.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Historically used more commonly as a specific financial term; now often superseded by terms like 'current account' (UK banking) or 'statement of account'. It implies a continuous, up-to-date record, not a final settled account.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In modern UK English, 'current account' is the standard term for a personal bank account. 'Account current' is an older, more formal term rarely seen outside specific financial/legal contexts. In US English, the term is also archaic but might appear in formal accounting or legal documents; 'current account' is less common for personal banking (where 'checking account' is used).
Connotations
Archaic, formal, technical. Suggests historical or highly professional financial contexts.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary corpora. Primarily found in historical texts, formal contracts, or specific financial jargon.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [Company] rendered an account current to the [Client].The [Agent] is responsible for maintaining the account current.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To keep a (mental) account current (with someone) – to continually assess one's standing or relationship with another.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A formal document from a supplier to a client showing all transactions for a period, with a balance due.
Academic
May appear in economic history papers discussing 18th/19th-century commerce.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
In specialized accounting or legal contexts, refers to a detailed, ongoing record of debits and credits between parties.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The solicitor reviewed the account current before advising her client on the partnership dispute.
- The agent sent a monthly account current to the property owner detailing all rents and expenses.
- The eighteenth-century merchant's ledger contained a meticulous account current with each of his foreign correspondents.
- Under the terms of the agency agreement, an account current must be rendered quarterly, showing all commissions and disbursements.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'An ACCOUNT that is CURRENTly active and needs updating.' It's not history; it's the live feed of transactions.
Conceptual Metaphor
FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE A FLOWING RIVER (the account current is the continuous measurement of its current).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'текущий счет' (which is a 'current/checking account' in banking). 'Account current' is a statement/report, not the account product itself. A closer translation might be 'текущая выписка по счету' or 'отчёт о текущих операциях'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it interchangeably with 'current account' (the banking product). *'I opened an account current at the bank.' (Incorrect) | Placing the stress incorrectly: /ˈækaʊnt/ instead of /əˈkaʊnt/.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'account current' MOST likely to be found today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A 'current account' (UK) or 'checking account' (US) is a type of bank account. An 'account current' is a financial statement or report detailing transactions on such an account (or any account) over a period.
It is not recommended. The term is archaic and highly specialized. In modern contexts, use 'statement', 'statement of account', or 'running balance' instead.
It functions as a compound noun. 'Account' is the head noun, and 'current' acts as a postpositive adjective (an adjective placed after the noun it modifies).
The word 'current' here means 'belonging to the present time; ongoing.' It signifies that the account details are up-to-date and reflect the most recent transactions, not a finalized historical record.