deposit money
B2Neutral to formal; common in financial, business, and everyday transactional contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To place money into an account, typically at a bank, for safekeeping or to earn interest.
The act of adding funds to a financial account; money placed into an account; the sum of money placed as an initial payment to secure a purchase or service.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Functions primarily as a verb phrase ('to deposit money') but can also be used as a nominal phrase ('a deposit of money'). The action implies a transfer of ownership of the funds to the institution, which then holds them on the depositor's behalf.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The noun 'deposit slip' (US) is commonly called a 'paying-in slip' in the UK. The phrase 'make a deposit' is used in both, but 'pay in' is a common UK alternative for the verb (e.g., 'I need to pay this cheque in').
Connotations
Identical financial connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
High frequency in both dialects due to universal banking practices.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + deposit + money + [into/at/in] + [Location/Account][Subject] + make + a deposit + of + moneyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Put your money where your mouth is (idiomatically related, implies commitment of funds)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company will deposit the day's takings every evening.
Academic
The study required participants to deposit money as a guarantee of commitment.
Everyday
I need to deposit this birthday cheque before the weekend.
Technical
The system automatically deposits money into the escrow account upon confirmation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I'll deposit this cash at the branch tomorrow.
- You can pay in the money using the mobile app.
American English
- I need to deposit this check at the bank.
- You can deposit money at any ATM.
adverb
British English
- The funds were deposited securely.
- The money was paid in electronically.
American English
- The check was deposited successfully.
- Funds are deposited automatically each month.
adjective
British English
- The deposit account offers a low interest rate.
- Please use the paying-in slip provided.
American English
- The deposit slip must be filled out completely.
- She made a deposit payment on the car.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I deposit money in my bank.
- She deposits her savings every month.
- You must deposit at least £50 to open the account.
- He deposited the cash and got a receipt.
- Before renting the flat, we had to deposit a month's rent as security.
- The system allows you to deposit money directly from your phone.
- Investors are required to deposit a substantial sum as an earnest money guarantee.
- The funds, once deposited, become subject to the bank's terms and conditions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a POSIT (position) for your cash. You DE- (down) + POSIT (place) your money down into a safe position at the bank.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A FLUID (deposit into an account, pool of money, liquid assets).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid calquing 'класть деньги' literally for all contexts; 'deposit' is specific to financial institutions or formal holding. The Russian 'вклад' is closer to a savings 'deposit' as a noun, not the action.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'deposit' without 'money' or an object when meaning is unclear (e.g., 'I will deposit' vs. 'I will deposit the cheque'). Confusing 'deposit' (to put in) with 'credit' (to add to an account, often the result of depositing).
Practice
Quiz
In UK English, what is a common alternative phrase for 'deposit a cheque'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, but it can extend to any scenario where money is placed with a third party for safekeeping or as a pledge, such as a security deposit with a landlord or a deposit with an auction house.
'Deposit' focuses on the safe storage of money, often with guaranteed return of the principal. 'Invest' implies putting money into assets (stocks, property) with the expectation of profit and risk of loss.
Yes. 'I made a deposit' or 'The deposit was £200' are common. The noun often refers to the action or the specific sum of money placed.
'Direct deposit' is a specific method where funds (like a salary) are deposited electronically by a payer into a payee's account. 'Deposit money' is the general action.