lucre
C2 (Very Low Frequency)Formal, Literary, Archaic; often used pejoratively.
Definition
Meaning
Money or profit, especially when regarded as sordid or morally tainting.
Monetary gain or wealth, often with strong connotations of being ill-gotten or corrupting.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost exclusively used with a negative moral judgment. It is not a neutral synonym for 'money'. Often found in fixed phrases like 'filthy lucre'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is equally rare and used in the same contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Identically strong negative connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, slightly more likely to be encountered in British literary or journalistic contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
pursuit of + lucretempted by + lucremotivated by + lucreVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “filthy lucre”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used in neutral business contexts. Might appear in critical commentary on corporate greed.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, historical texts, and ethical philosophy to discuss the corrupting influence of wealth.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would be used for deliberate, ironic, or literary effect.
Technical
No technical usage.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He was not motivated by lucre, but by a desire to help.
- The politician was accused of sacrificing his principles for filthy lucre.
- The novel is a scathing indictment of a society obsessed with the pursuit of lucre above all else.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'LUcre' as 'LOOT' with a sneer – it's money you look down on.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS FILTH / MONEY IS A CORRUPTING FORCE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'лукавый' (cunning/sly).
- The direct translation 'барыш' is neutral; 'lucre' requires a negative modifier like 'грязный' to convey the connotation.
- It is not a general word for 'деньги'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a neutral term for money (e.g., 'I need some lucre to buy bread').
- Misspelling as 'lucer' or 'looker'.
- Mispronouncing the final syllable (it's 'ker', not 'kree').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is the word 'lucre' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it refers to money or profit, it carries a strong negative connotation, implying the money is sordid, corrupting, or ill-gotten. The neutral term is simply 'money'.
It is highly unconventional and would likely be interpreted as ironic or sarcastic. The word's established usage is pejorative.
The phrase originates from the Tyndale (1526) and King James (1611) Bible translations (e.g., Titus 1:11), where it criticizes those teaching for dishonest gain. 'Filthy' here originally meant 'dishonourable' or 'shameful'.
No. It is a very low-frequency, literary word. For most contexts, 'money', 'profit', or 'greed' are more natural and widely understood choices.