bankroll
C1Informal, Business
Definition
Meaning
A roll of banknotes or a supply of money, especially as used to finance a venture or activity.
To provide the necessary funds or capital for a project, business, or person's lifestyle; to financially support or back something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in financial contexts. As a noun, it implies a substantial sum of ready cash. As a verb, it implies underwriting or sponsoring with personal or company funds, often with a connotation of wealth or lavish spending.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar, with no significant variation in meaning. The word originated in American English but is now standard in both.
Connotations
In both, it can carry connotations of financial power and, occasionally, of profligate spending or risky investment. The verb form is strongly associated with high-stakes finance or entertainment.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English, but well-established in British English, particularly in business journalism.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] bankroll [NP][NP] is bankrolled by [NP]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To have a deep bankroll (to be very wealthy)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Commonly used to describe venture capital funding or angel investment.
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing; appears in economic or sociological case studies on finance.
Everyday
Used informally to talk about someone paying for an expensive activity, e.g., a holiday.
Technical
Used in gambling contexts to refer to a player's total funds available for wagering.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Her family agreed to bankroll her new boutique in Chelsea.
- The entire expedition was bankrolled by a charitable trust.
American English
- A tech billionaire bankrolled the entire political campaign.
- Who's bankrolling this risky real estate development?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He used his savings as a bankroll for his new business.
- The film was very expensive to make.
- Without a substantial bankroll, it's hard to compete in the high-stakes poker tournament.
- The startup was bankrolled by several anonymous investors from abroad.
- The oligarch's vast bankroll allowed him to acquire football clubs and yachts with ease.
- The venture capital firm decided to bankroll the biotech research, seeing its long-term potential.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a wealthy person carrying a literal roll of banknotes from their BANK to ROLL out funding for a new idea.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A RESOURCE TO BE DEPLOYED / FINANCING IS PROPULSION (to bankroll a startup into orbit).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как "береговой валик" (это "bankroll" vs. "bank roll").
- Не путать с глаголом "контролировать банк" – значение чисто финансовой поддержки.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a synonym for 'budget' (a bankroll is the money itself, not a plan).
- Using it in overly formal contexts where 'finance' or 'fund' would be more appropriate.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'bankroll' CORRECTLY as a verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily informal or business jargon. In formal reports, use 'finance', 'fund', or 'capitalize'.
It's typically used for substantial sums that fund a significant venture. Using it for minor expenses sounds ironic or humorous.
'Bankroll' focuses solely on providing the necessary money. 'Sponsor' implies financial support often in exchange for publicity or promotion, and can include non-financial support.
Yes, you can have a bankroll or a large bankroll. It's typically used in the singular.