divi: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal, Technical (cooperative/business contexts)
Quick answer
What does “divi” mean?
A share of profits paid to the members of a cooperative society.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A share of profits paid to the members of a cooperative society.
1. A dividend or profit share, particularly in cooperative businesses. 2. (British, informal) A dividend from any investment or scheme.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively British. In American English, 'dividend' is used exclusively, and 'divi' would be considered obscure or a non-standard abbreviation.
Connotations
In the UK, it evokes nostalgia for the traditional Co-op (Co-operative) movement and its member benefits. It can imply a small, community-oriented reward. In the US, it lacks any specific connotation due to non-use.
Frequency
Low frequency overall, but recognized by older generations in the UK, especially those with experience of cooperative societies. Very rare to non-existent in American English corpora.
Grammar
How to Use “divi” in a Sentence
collect/get/receive a/the + divithe + annual/Co-op + diviVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the specific context of cooperative business models to refer to member dividends.
Academic
Rare; might appear in historical, economic, or sociological texts about the cooperative movement.
Everyday
Informal British use, mainly by older speakers or in areas with a strong Co-op presence, to refer to a dividend or small profit share.
Technical
Specific term within the lexicon of cooperative retail and financial structures.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “divi”
- Using 'divi' in formal American financial contexts.
- Spelling as 'divvy' when referring specifically to the Co-op dividend (though 'divvy' can be a related informal verb).
- Overgeneralising its use to any dividend outside cooperative systems.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an informal abbreviation of 'dividend', specific to cooperative society contexts in British English.
It would sound unusual and overly casual. In modern general finance, 'dividend' is the standard term.
'Divi' is primarily a noun for the profit share. 'Divvy' (up) is an informal verb meaning to divide or share out something.
Its use has declined with the changing structure of the cooperative movement, but it is still understood, especially by older generations in the UK and within current cooperative organisations.
A share of profits paid to the members of a cooperative society.
Divi: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪvi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪvi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's like getting the Co-op divi (meaning: an unexpected small bonus).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'DIVI' as the friendly, shorter cousin of 'DIVIdend' who only visits the UK Co-op.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROFIT IS A SHARE (of a communal pie).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is the word 'divi' (meaning a profit share) primarily used?