money tree: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “money tree” mean?
A metaphorical plant that supposedly grows money.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A metaphorical plant that supposedly grows money; a source of easy or unlimited wealth.
Something (a person, business, investment, or talent) that consistently generates large amounts of money with little effort; often used ironically to suggest such a source doesn't actually exist.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The phrase is equally understood in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both regions.
Frequency
Similar low frequency in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “money tree” in a Sentence
shake the money tree (for funds)grow your own money treethe money tree has dried upVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used humorously or critically to refer to an investment or division expected to generate disproportionate profits (e.g., 'They think the new app will be a money tree.').
Academic
Rare. May appear in economics or sociology texts discussing myths of wealth creation.
Everyday
Used in casual conversation to express skepticism about getting money easily (e.g., 'Do you think I have a money tree in the garden?').
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “money tree”
- Using it as a literal term (e.g., 'I planted a money tree in my yard.').
- Capitalising it as a proper noun.
- Using it in formal writing without clear ironic intent.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is purely a metaphorical or idiomatic expression. However, plants like the 'Jade Plant' or 'Crassula ovata' are sometimes colloquially called 'money plants' in different cultures for supposed luck, but this is separate from the idiom 'money tree'.
Yes, but often with a tone of grateful amazement or hyperbole (e.g., 'This online business has been a real money tree for us'). More frequently, it is used skeptically or ironically.
The verb phrase 'shake the money tree' is a very common collocation, meaning to try to obtain money from a source, often repeatedly.
It is decidedly informal and figurative. It is not suitable for formal reports, academic papers (except as a quoted term), or legal documents.
A metaphorical plant that supposedly grows money.
Money tree: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌni triː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmʌni triː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Money doesn't grow on trees.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cartoon tree with banknotes for leaves and coins for fruit. It's a fun, impossible image that captures the phrase's meaning.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEALTH IS A PLANT (that can be grown and harvested).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common implication when someone uses the term 'money tree'?