moneybags: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, occasionally humorous or pejorative.
Quick answer
What does “moneybags” mean?
A very wealthy person.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very wealthy person.
A term, often informal and sometimes humorous or derogatory, for an individual possessing substantial wealth.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage difference. Equally informal in both varieties.
Connotations
Slight potential for humorous or derogatory tone, implying ostentatious or perhaps unrefined wealth.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, more common in older or literary contexts than in modern everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “moneybags” in a Sentence
[a/the/this/that] + moneybags + verb[be/play/act/look like] + a moneybagsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “moneybags” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He had a very moneybags attitude, throwing cash at every problem.
American English
- She drove a moneybags car that cost more than my house.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; 'investor', 'benefactor', or 'high-net-worth individual' preferred.
Academic
Virtually never used; 'capitalist', 'economic elite', or 'wealth-holder' used in sociological/economic contexts.
Everyday
Used informally, often in storytelling or gossip to refer to a conspicuously wealthy local figure.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “moneybags”
- Using it as a plural countable noun (e.g., 'two moneybags' to mean two rich people is non-standard). Treating it as a formal term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically singular (e.g., 'He is a moneybags'), despite the 's' ending.
No, it is an informal, colloquial term. Use 'wealthy individual', 'tycoon', or 'magnate' instead.
It originated in the early 19th century as a humorous or derogatory term, literally referring to bags full of money as a symbol of wealth.
It can be perceived as slightly mocking or belittling, so it should be used with caution. It is not a polite or respectful term.
A very wealthy person.
Moneybags: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌnibæɡz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmʌnibæɡz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[He/She] thinks he's a real moneybags.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a character from a cartoon carrying bags with dollar signs, labeled 'Mr. Moneybags'.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEALTH IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT (carried in bags); A PERSON IS A CONTAINER FOR WEALTH.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'moneybags' be LEAST appropriate?