currency
B1Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
The money that is officially used in a particular country.
The state of being widely known, accepted, or in circulation (of an idea, term, practice, etc.); general acceptance or prevalence.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary sense is concrete and countable (different currencies). The secondary, abstract sense is uncountable and metaphorical, relating to the "circulation" of ideas.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. In international finance, GBP is often called 'sterling' in UK contexts, whereas USD is 'the dollar' in US contexts.
Connotations
Similar. The metaphorical use ('currency of ideas') is equally common in both academic/formal registers.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties due to economic/financial discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the currency of [COUNTRY]to exchange/convert into a currencyto gain/lose currency (as an idea)currency in circulationVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “gain currency”
- “lose currency”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company hedges against currency risk in emerging markets.
Academic
The sociologist studied the cultural currency of nationalist symbols.
Everyday
Do I need to get local currency before my holiday?
Technical
The central bank intervened to stabilize the currency's floating exchange rate.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The term is no longer current in academic discourse.
- The idea failed to currency among policymakers.
American English
- That slang term isn't current here anymore.
- The theory never really currencyed outside a small circle.
adverb
British English
- Currently, the pound is quite strong.
- He is currently travelling abroad.
American English
- I'm currently working on a new project.
- The store is currently closed for renovation.
adjective
British English
- Please check the current exchange rates.
- Current thinking on the issue has evolved.
American English
- What's the current price per gallon?
- She stays current with all the latest tech trends.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The euro is the currency used in France.
- I changed my pounds into American currency.
- You can pay in local currency or by credit card.
- The idea of remote work gained currency during the pandemic.
- Investors are wary of the currency's volatility.
- The philosopher's concepts have lost currency in contemporary debates.
- The government imposed strict controls on foreign currency transactions.
- The lexical currency of such pejorative terms is a marker of societal change.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of CURRENT money. Currency is the money CURRENTly used in a country.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE CURRENCY (they circulate, gain/lose value, are exchanged).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'валюта' (which is correct) and 'курс валют' (which is 'exchange rate'). The abstract meaning ('gain currency') is 'получить распространение/ход', not related to деньги.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'currency' as a countable noun for money in general (e.g., 'I need some currencies' instead of 'I need some cash/money'). Using 'a currency' to mean a single coin/bill.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'gain currency' mean in a non-financial context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both. It's countable when referring to specific types of money (e.g., 'several currencies'). It's uncountable when referring to money in a general sense from a country (e.g., 'I need some currency') or in its abstract meaning (e.g., 'The idea gained currency').
'Money' is a general, uncountable term for the medium of exchange. 'Currency' is more specific, referring to the particular system of money (coins and notes) used in a country. All currency is money, but not all money is a specific currency (e.g., gold, cryptocurrency).
Yes, terms like 'digital currency', 'cryptocurrency', or 'virtual currency' are standard. In precise financial contexts, authorities may distinguish it from 'legal tender' or 'fiat currency'.
Use it with verbs like 'gain', 'lose', 'have', 'give'. Example: 'That outdated theory has little currency among modern scientists.' It means the theory is not widely accepted or in 'circulation' anymore.
Collections
Part of a collection
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