lira
C1Formal, Historical, Financial, Numismatic
Definition
Meaning
The basic monetary unit of Italy (and formerly Turkey), now replaced by the euro in Italy.
The name of various historical and current currency units, most notably the former currency of Italy and the current currency of Turkey (Turkish lira). Also used historically for units of weight.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to a specific, named currency. When used without a modifier (e.g., 'Turkish'), it typically refers to the former Italian currency. Use has declined significantly since Italy adopted the euro.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both refer to the same historical and current currencies.
Connotations
Evokes nostalgia for pre-euro Italy in travel/tourism contexts; associated with economic instability in Turkey in financial news.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, limited to historical, financial, or travel-related discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [Turkish/Italian] lira [verb: fell/strengthened].It cost [number] lira.to pay in liraVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth a plugged lira (rare, based on 'not worth a plugged nickel').”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in forex trading and international finance reports concerning Turkey: 'The lira weakened against the dollar.'
Academic
Appears in economic history, numismatics, and European studies texts.
Everyday
Rare, except when discussing travel to Turkey or reminiscing about travel to Italy before 2002.
Technical
Used in banking and currency conversion systems; has specific ISO codes (e.g., TRY for Turkish Lira).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- No standard verb form.
American English
- No standard verb form.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form.
American English
- No standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjective form.
American English
- No standard adjective form.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have five Turkish lira in my pocket.
- This old coin is one lira.
- Before the euro, we used the Italian lira on holiday.
- How much is one hundred lira in pounds?
- The sharp devaluation of the lira has impacted imports significantly.
- My grandfather's collection includes Vatican lira coins.
- Economists are debating the central bank's intervention strategy to bolster the faltering lira.
- The nostalgic value of the old lira far exceeds its nominal worth.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LIRA (song) you bought in ITALY for a few lira.
Conceptual Metaphor
CURRENCY IS A MEASURE OF NATIONAL HEALTH (e.g., 'The ailing lira reflected the country's economic troubles.').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'лира' meaning 'lyre' (the musical instrument).
- The Russian 'лира' for the currency is a direct cognate, but context is key.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'liras' as a plural (the plural is typically 'lira', like 'sheep').
- Referring to the modern Italian currency as the lira (it's the euro).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following statements about the word 'lira' is correct?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The plural is typically 'lira' (invariant), like 'sheep'. 'Liras' is occasionally seen but is non-standard.
No. Italy adopted the euro in 2002. The lira is no longer legal tender.
The symbol is ₺. The historical symbol for the Italian lira was ₤ (often confused with the pound sterling sign).
Primarily in financial news about Turkey, historical discussions of Italy, numismatics (coin collecting), and travel guides for Turkey.