money-spinner: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, primarily business and media contexts.
Quick answer
What does “money-spinner” mean?
A product, service, or activity that generates a large and steady profit.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A product, service, or activity that generates a large and steady profit.
An extremely profitable venture or asset; something that consistently yields substantial financial returns, often with minimal additional effort once established.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Far more common in British English. American English prefers terms like 'cash cow', 'money-maker', or 'gold mine'.
Connotations
UK: Often used in media/business reporting with a slightly positive, admiring tone. US: Rare; if used, may sound deliberately British or old-fashioned.
Frequency
High frequency in UK business journalism; low frequency in general American English.
Grammar
How to Use “money-spinner” in a Sentence
[Product/Service] is a money-spinner for [Company/Person].[Company/Person] has a money-spinner in [Product/Service].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “money-spinner” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new licensing deal is expected to money-spin for years to come.
American English
- (Rare as verb) They hoped the product would money-spin, but it flopped.
adverb
British English
- The business ran money-spinningly well for a decade.
American English
- (Virtually never used)
adjective
British English
- They're looking for more money-spinning ideas for the franchise.
American English
- (Rare) He left for a more money-spinning role on Wall Street.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Frequently used in reports and analyses to describe a company's most profitable division or product line.
Academic
Rare; more likely in business or media studies contexts.
Everyday
Used conversationally when discussing a surprisingly successful business idea or side hustle.
Technical
Not a technical financial term; used in descriptive, not analytical, contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “money-spinner”
- Using it for a one-time profit (e.g., lottery win). Spelling as 'moneyspinner' (should be hyphenated). Using it in formal American financial writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's informal to semi-formal. It's common in business journalism but would be replaced by terms like 'key profit centre' or 'primary revenue generator' in a formal financial report.
They are very close synonyms, especially in British English. 'Cash cow' is more common in American English and can imply a mature, low-growth product that funds other ventures. 'Money-spinner' can be used for newer, high-growth successes as well.
It's unusual but possible, typically in sports or entertainment (e.g., 'The young striker became the club's money-spinner'). Usually, it refers to a product, service, or idea.
The standard spelling is with a hyphen: 'money-spinner'. The one-word form 'moneyspinner' is sometimes seen but is less common.
A product, service, or activity that generates a large and steady profit.
Money-spinner: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌni ˌspɪnə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmʌni ˌspɪnər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to turn into a money-spinner”
- “to have a money-spinner on one's hands”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a spinning wheel that, instead of wool, spins out banknotes. The thing that 'spins' the money is your 'money-spinner'.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROFIT IS A TANGIBLE PRODUCT (spun out like thread). A SUCCESSFUL VENTURE IS A MACHINE (that spins money).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'money-spinner' INCORRECTLY?