money order: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal/Business/Everyday
Quick answer
What does “money order” mean?
A printed order for payment of a specified sum, issued by a bank or post office, prepaid by the purchaser and payable to a named recipient.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A printed order for payment of a specified sum, issued by a bank or post office, prepaid by the purchaser and payable to a named recipient.
A secure method of transferring money, often used as an alternative to personal checks or cash when sender/receiver do not share a bank account or when greater security than a personal check is desired.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Terminology is identical, but in the UK, 'postal order' (issued by the Post Office for smaller amounts) is a more common close counterpart, though not exactly synonymous. The process and institutions (banks, post offices) are similar.
Connotations
Both varieties connote security, formality, and a traceable transaction. Slightly old-fashioned in everyday digital contexts but remains standard for certain official payments.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English, as 'money order' is the standard term for this instrument. In the UK, 'banker's draft' or 'postal order' might be used in specific overlapping contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “money order” in a Sentence
VERB + money order: buy, get, send, receive, cash, issue, purchase, voidmoney order + VERB: arrive, expire, be payable tomoney order + for + AMOUNT: a money order for £50money order + to + PERSON: a money order to John Smithpayment + by + money order: Payment must be made by money order.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “money order” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The landlord required the deposit by postal order or banker's draft, not a personal cheque.
- You can obtain a money order at any major post office for a small fee.
American English
- The application fee must be paid with a money order or cashier's check.
- I need to send a money order to my cousin who doesn't have a checking account.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for secure, traceable payments to suppliers or for official fees where corporate checks are not accepted.
Academic
Might appear in texts on finance, economic history, or descriptions of payment systems.
Everyday
Used when paying rent to a landlord, sending money to someone without a bank account, or making a payment for a government service.
Technical
In banking/finance, refers to a specific negotiable instrument, a prepaid draft payable to a third party.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “money order”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “money order”
- Using 'money order' as a verb (e.g., 'I will money order the payment' – INCORRECT; correct: 'I will send a money order').
- Confusing it with a 'wire transfer'. A money order is a physical or paper-based instrument.
- Misspelling as 'moneyorder' (should be two words or hyphenated 'money-order' in some historic styles).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are guaranteed payments. A cashier's check is drawn on a bank's own funds after the customer pays the bank. A money order is often issued by a wider range of institutions (post offices, grocery stores, banks) and may have lower maximum amounts. Cashier's checks are typically for larger transactions.
No, a legitimate money order is prepaid. It is considered a secure form of payment because the funds are guaranteed by the issuing institution at the time of purchase. However, it can be fraudulent or counterfeit.
In the US and UK, they are commonly available at post offices, banks, credit unions, and many retail stores (like supermarkets or convenience stores) that offer financial services.
No. A money order is a physical (or sometimes printable) document that is mailed or handed over. A wire transfer is an electronic transfer of funds directly between bank accounts. Wire transfers are usually faster but may have higher fees.
A printed order for payment of a specified sum, issued by a bank or post office, prepaid by the purchaser and payable to a named recipient.
Money order is usually formal/business/everyday in register.
Money order: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌni ˌɔːdə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmʌni ˌɔrdər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As good as a money order (rare, meaning very reliable or secure)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine ORDERING MONEY to be sent securely to someone else. You 'order' the money from an institution, and they provide the 'order' (document) for it.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A MESSAGE / A COMMODITY (it is 'ordered' and 'sent'). SECURITY IS SOLIDITY (a money order is seen as more solid/secure than a personal promise).
Practice
Quiz
What is a key characteristic of a money order?