giro: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-MidFormal/Business/Financial
Quick answer
What does “giro” mean?
A system of electronically transferring funds, especially for government payments like benefits or pensions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A system of electronically transferring funds, especially for government payments like benefits or pensions.
A cheque or payment received through this system. Also, in the EU context, the name for a type of pan-European electronic direct deposit system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is known but far less common in US English, where 'direct deposit', 'benefits check', or 'welfare payment' are standard. It is strongly associated with the UK social security system.
Connotations
In the UK, can have neutral administrative or sometimes negative (associated with poverty) connotations. In the US, it is a technical/foreign term.
Frequency
High frequency in UK administrative and certain social contexts; very low frequency in general American English.
Grammar
How to Use “giro” in a Sentence
receive [a/the] giropay by girotransfer via girobe on giroVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “giro” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The funds will be giroed into your account on Tuesday.
- Can you giro the payment to the supplier?
American English
- The invoice was paid via a giro transfer.
- We'll need to initiate a giro credit.
adverb
British English
- The payment was made giro.
adjective
British English
- She provided her giro account details.
- It's a giro-based payment system.
American English
- The company uses a giro network for EU transactions.
- He received a giro credit advice.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a specific electronic funds transfer system between banks.
Academic
Used in economics or social policy discussions of welfare systems.
Everyday
In the UK, commonly understood as a benefits payment date or method.
Technical
A banking term for a credit transfer system, especially within the EU (SEPA giro).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “giro”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “giro”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “giro”
- Misspelling as 'gyro' (which is a Greek food or gyroscope).
- Using it as a general synonym for 'salary'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a giro is a specific type of bank transfer, often used for bulk or automated payments like salaries or benefits. It's a credit transfer initiated by the payer's bank.
You can, but it's not common and may not be understood. Americans typically say 'direct deposit' for regular automated payments or 'benefits check' for government payments.
The word comes from Italian, meaning 'circulation' or 'turn', reflecting the circulation of money. The system was pioneered by postal services in Europe.
It is a formal, technical term in banking, but in everyday UK speech (e.g., "my giro's late"), it is informal and specific to the welfare context.
A system of electronically transferring funds, especially for government payments like benefits or pensions.
Giro: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdʒaɪ.rəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdʒaɪ.roʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Waiting for my giro to come in (colloquial UK: waiting for a benefits payment).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'GIRO' as 'Government Income Reaching One' – a system for getting government money.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A CIRCULATING OBJECT (from Italian 'giro' meaning 'circulation, turn').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'giro' most commonly used in British English?