almighty dollar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, Journalistic, Critical Discourse
Quick answer
What does “almighty dollar” mean?
A personification of money or the power of financial wealth, often implying that it has excessive, corrupting, or god-like influence in society.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A personification of money or the power of financial wealth, often implying that it has excessive, corrupting, or god-like influence in society.
A critical or satirical term for the perceived supreme importance of money and material wealth in driving human actions and societal values, often at the expense of moral, ethical, or spiritual considerations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The phrase is understood in both varieties but is historically and culturally more rooted in American commentary on capitalism and society.
Connotations
Similar critical connotations in both, but may carry a sharper edge of satire in American usage given the nation's strong capitalist identity.
Frequency
More frequently encountered in American English, particularly in political and social commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “almighty dollar” in a Sentence
Subject of a clause (e.g., The almighty dollar rules...)Object of a verb (e.g., They worship the almighty dollar.)Object of a preposition (e.g., in the service of the almighty dollar)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used in positive business contexts; used critically to comment on ruthless profit-seeking.
Academic
Used in sociology, economics, and cultural studies to critique materialism and consumerism.
Everyday
Used in conversation to express cynicism about greed or the influence of money on decisions.
Technical
Not used in technical fields like finance or engineering; it is a cultural/ rhetorical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “almighty dollar”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “almighty dollar”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “almighty dollar”
- Using it to simply mean 'a lot of money' (e.g., 'He earned an almighty dollar last year' is incorrect).
- Omitting the definite article 'the'.
- Using it in a positive context to celebrate wealth.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is almost exclusively used in a critical, ironic, or satirical sense to comment on the excessive importance placed on money.
No, it dates back to the 19th century. It was popularized by the American writer Washington Irving.
While 'dollar' specifically references US currency, the phrase is used more broadly to symbolise money and financial power in general, even in discussions about other economies.
It functions as a compound noun phrase, typically used as a singular subject or object in a sentence.
A personification of money or the power of financial wealth, often implying that it has excessive, corrupting, or god-like influence in society.
Almighty dollar is usually literary, journalistic, critical discourse in register.
Almighty dollar: in British English it is pronounced /ɔːlˌmaɪti ˈdɒlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɑːlˌmaɪti ˈdɑːlɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Money is the root of all evil.”
- “Money talks.”
- “He who dies with the most toys wins.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a giant dollar bill with a crown, sitting on a throne like a king, with people bowing to it. 'Almighty' sounds like 'All-mighty', suggesting it's a false god.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A (FALSE) DEITY / WEALTH IS A CORRUPTING FORCE
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the phrase 'the almighty dollar' be LEAST appropriate?