big money: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, journalistic, business
Quick answer
What does “big money” mean?
a very large amount of money, especially wealth gained in a high-stakes context like gambling, business, or entertainment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a very large amount of money, especially wealth gained in a high-stakes context like gambling, business, or entertainment.
Profound financial influence or the industry/financial sector associated with large sums (e.g., big business, high finance). It can also imply a lifestyle defined by substantial wealth.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic difference. Both use the term identically.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with show business and sports in AmE; with finance and gambling in BrE, though overlaps are extensive.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English, particularly in business and sports journalism.
Grammar
How to Use “big money” in a Sentence
to win big money (on sth)to spend big money (on sth)to be in for big moneyto play for big moneyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “big money” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The club made a big-money offer for the striker.
- It was a big-money takeover that shook the industry.
American English
- He's a big-money player in the tech startup scene.
- They closed a big-money deal with the studio.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to major corporate finance, mergers, acquisitions, and executive compensation.
Academic
Rare in formal papers; appears in economics, sociology, or media studies discussing wealth concentration.
Everyday
Used to discuss lottery wins, expensive purchases, or high salaries.
Technical
Not a technical financial term; used descriptively in sports contracts and entertainment deals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “big money”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “big money”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “big money”
- Using as a countable noun (e.g., 'big moneys').
- Using in overly formal contexts where 'major investment' or 'substantial capital' is required.
- Confusing with 'big bucks' in very formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily informal to neutral. It's common in journalism and business talk but is often replaced by more formal terms like 'substantial capital' or 'significant funds' in official documents.
Yes, in an attributive position (before a noun), e.g., 'a big-money signing', 'a big-money deal'. It does not have comparative or superlative forms (*bigger money deal is rare and non-standard).
'Big money' implies an unusually large, often impressive or risky sum, frequently in a commercial or competitive context. 'A lot of money' is more general and neutral.
Yes, 'big bucks' is a more informal, slightly more American synonym. 'Big money' is slightly more versatile and can be used in slightly more formal contexts than 'big bucks'.
a very large amount of money, especially wealth gained in a high-stakes context like gambling, business, or entertainment.
Big money: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈmʌni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈmʌni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Follow the money.”
- “Money talks.”
- “It takes money to make money.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a giant, oversized dollar bill – 'big' in size representing 'big' in amount.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A SUBSTANCE / QUANTIFIABLE OBJECT (you can have 'big' or 'small' amounts).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'big money' LEAST appropriate?