doit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare (Historical/Literary)Archaic / Literary
Quick answer
What does “doit” mean?
A very small sum of money.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very small sum of money; something of negligible value.
Historically, a small copper coin of the Netherlands or Scotland. Can be used figuratively for any trifle.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in contemporary usage, as the word is equally archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of historical or literary antiquity. In British contexts, might be slightly more familiar due to historical ties with the Low Countries.
Frequency
Extremely low and declining. Most native speakers would not know the word.
Grammar
How to Use “doit” in a Sentence
[Subject] + be + not worth + a doitVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used in modern business contexts.
Academic
Only in historical/numismatic studies discussing early modern European coinage.
Everyday
Virtually absent. Its use would be deliberately archaic or humorous.
Technical
Specific to historical numismatics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “doit”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “doit”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “doit”
- Spelling as 'do it' (two words).
- Pronouncing the 't' as a glottal stop (incorrect; the 't' is fully pronounced).
- Using in modern financial contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are homophones only. 'Doit' is a noun of Dutch origin meaning a small coin, while 'do it' is a verb phrase.
It is considered archaic. Using it would be a deliberate stylistic choice to sound old-fashioned or literary.
The standard plural is 'doits' (pronounced /dɔɪts/).
No, there is no standard verb derived from 'doit'. The word functions almost exclusively as a noun.
A very small sum of money.
Doit is usually archaic / literary in register.
Doit: in British English it is pronounced /dɔɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɔɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not worth a doit (a brass farthing)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a small Dutch COIN that is so worthless you could DO without IT.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTHLESSNESS IS A MINUSCULE COIN / TIME IS MONEY (a 'doit' represents a worthless amount of time or effort).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'doit' be most appropriately used?