cashbook: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “cashbook” mean?
A book or ledger in which a business records all cash receipts and payments.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A book or ledger in which a business records all cash receipts and payments.
In a broader or historical context, any personal or official log of monetary transactions, though primarily a formal accounting record in double-entry bookkeeping.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The compound spelling 'cashbook' (one word) is standard in both, though 'cash book' (two words) is also found, especially in older texts.
Connotations
Identical. Connotes traditional accounting practices. May sound slightly dated compared to digital alternatives like 'cash ledger' or 'cash journal' in software.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English, reflecting the historical persistence of specific accounting terminology (e.g., 'purchases ledger', 'sales ledger'). In the US, 'cash receipts journal' and 'cash disbursements journal' are common technical alternatives.
Grammar
How to Use “cashbook” in a Sentence
The accountant VERB the cashbook (e.g., maintained, balanced, checked).The transaction was recorded in the cashbook.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Essential in small business accounting and auditing for tracking liquidity. 'The auditor requested the cashbook for the last fiscal year.'
Academic
Used in accounting, finance, and business history courses. 'The study analysed 19th-century merchants' cashbooks.'
Everyday
Rare. Might be used by someone running a small club or stall. 'I keep a simple cashbook for the bake sale proceeds.'
Technical
A specific accounting record forming part of the bookkeeping system. 'Post the daily totals from the cashbook to the general ledger.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cashbook”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cashbook”
- Misspelling as two words: 'cash book' (acceptable but less standard).
- Using it as a synonym for a general bank statement or a personal finance app.
- Incorrect preposition: 'on the cashbook' instead of 'in the cashbook'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A cashbook is a daily record of cash transactions. A balance sheet is a static financial statement showing assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time.
While digital accounting software has largely replaced physical books, the core function of a cashbook exists within such software as a 'cash ledger' or 'journal module'. Small, cash-heavy businesses may still use a physical one.
A petty cash book is a type of cashbook used specifically to record small, incidental expenses paid for with a small fund of cash (petty cash). The main cashbook records all other cash transactions.
Yes. It is a closed compound noun (written as one word), formed from 'cash' and 'book', though the open form 'cash book' is also historically accepted.
A book or ledger in which a business records all cash receipts and payments.
Cashbook is usually formal / technical in register.
Cashbook: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkæʃbʊk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæʃˌbʊk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A BOOK for CASH. Just like a phonebook lists numbers, a cashbook lists money coming in and going out.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A FLUID (cash *flow*); A RECORD IS A CONTAINER (the book *holds* the transactions).
Practice
Quiz
In a double-entry bookkeeping system, the cashbook is primarily used to: