money
A1 (very high frequency)Neutral, used in all registers from casual to formal.
Definition
Meaning
The medium of exchange, typically in the form of coins and banknotes, used to pay for goods and services and measure value.
Any asset, currency, or token that functions as a store of value and unit of account; wealth or financial resources.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can be uncountable (I need money) but countable when referring to specific sums or types (monies collected).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling differences in compounds (moneys vs. monies).
Connotations
Similar, but US English more readily uses "money" as an adjective in informal contexts (a money guy).
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have money (for something)spend money (on something)make money (from something)cost (someone) moneybe worth moneyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Money doesn't grow on trees.”
- “For my money...”
- “Put your money where your mouth is.”
- “Money talks.”
- “Time is money.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to capital, revenue, profit, and financial statements.
Academic
Discussed in economics, sociology, and history as a social institution.
Everyday
Used for personal finance, shopping, and general transactions.
Technical
In finance: fiat money, money supply, money market.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They agreed to money the venture.
- The scheme was monied by anonymous backers.
American English
- The studio will money the film.
- They monied the project through grants.
adverb
British English
- This product sells money.
- (Note: Rarely used; 'profitably' is standard)
American English
- He plays money when the pressure is on.
- (Note: Very informal/slang)
adjective
British English
- He's from a moneyed family.
- The money interests opposed the policy.
American English
- She's a money player in crucial moments.
- It's a money-making idea.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I don't have enough money for the bus.
- She saved her money to buy a bicycle.
- The project will require a significant amount of money.
- They raised money for the local charity.
- The new policy is designed to inject money into the economy.
- He made his money in the software industry.
- The monograph analyses the role of fiat money in modern capitalism.
- Venture capitalists are looking to money the next disruptive startup.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MONEY: Means Of Necessary Exchange, Yes!
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A LIQUID (cash flow, flush with cash, frozen assets, pour money into).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'money' as plural ('many moneys' is wrong).
- Don't translate 'деньги' directly for 'time is money'; the concept is idiomatic.
- In Russian, 'деньги' is grammatically plural but uncountable in English.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'much money' instead of 'a lot of money' in positive statements.
- Incorrect: 'He has many money.' Correct: 'He has a lot of money.'
- Confusing 'money' with 'monies' (a formal term for specific sums).
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase means 'to waste money'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily uncountable. Use 'a lot of money', not 'many money'. The plural 'monies/moneys' is formal and refers to specific sums from different sources.
'Money' is the general concept. 'Cash' is physical money (notes/coins). 'Currency' is the specific system/money of a country (e.g., US dollar, euro).
As a verb, 'to money' (or 'monied') is rare and formal, meaning 'to provide with money' or 'to capitalize'.
It encapsulates a capitalist worldview where time, like money, is a valuable resource that should not be wasted, originating from Benjamin Franklin.
Collections
Part of a collection
Shopping
A2 · 50 words · Vocabulary for buying and selling goods.