ringgit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Financial
Quick answer
What does “ringgit” mean?
The official currency of Malaysia, subdivided into 100 sen.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The official currency of Malaysia, subdivided into 100 sen.
Refers specifically to Malaysian currency; in historical contexts, can refer to various silver coins that were minted with serrated or milled edges in the Malay Archipelago and Spanish America. The term itself means 'jagged' or 'serrated' in Malay, originally describing the coin's physical appearance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage, as the term is specific to Malaysian context. Both regions use the term identically in financial/news contexts.
Connotations
Neutral financial term; carries connotations of Southeast Asian economic activity.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse but standard in international finance, business, and travel contexts related to Malaysia.
Grammar
How to Use “ringgit” in a Sentence
[Subject] costs [number] ringgit.[Subject] is priced at [number] ringgit.The [noun] exchanged [currency] for ringgit.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ringgit” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bank will ringgit your sterling upon arrival.
American English
- We need to ringgit these funds for the local transaction.
adjective
British English
- The ringgit exchange rate is favourable today.
American English
- They quoted a ringgit price for the contract.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in forex markets, international trade invoices, and financial reports concerning Malaysia.
Academic
Appears in economics, finance, and Southeast Asian studies papers.
Everyday
Used by tourists and expatriates in Malaysia discussing prices and exchange.
Technical
The ISO 4217 currency code is MYR; bank codes and trading platforms use this.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ringgit”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ringgit”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ringgit”
- Incorrect pluralisation: 'ringgits' (acceptable but less common than invariant 'ringgit').
- Misspelling: 'ringit', 'ringet'.
- Confusing it with the Indonesian Rupiah or other Southeast Asian currencies.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, typically. While 'ringgits' is sometimes heard, the invariant form 'ringgit' (e.g., 'fifty ringgit') is standard in official and financial contexts.
It comes from Malay, meaning 'jagged' or 'serrated', originally referring to the serrated edges of Spanish silver dollars that circulated widely in the region.
No. Singapore uses the Singapore Dollar (SGD) and Brunei uses the Brunei Dollar (BND). Ringgit is specific to Malaysia.
The official currency symbol is 'RM' (for Ringgit Malaysia). The ISO code is MYR. The '$' sign is not used for the ringgit.
The official currency of Malaysia, subdivided into 100 sen.
Ringgit is usually formal / financial in register.
Ringgit: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɪŋ.ɡɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɪŋ.ɡɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth a single sen (a coin of lesser value than the ringgit, used hyperbolically)”
- “Chasing the ringgit (pursuing money/business in Malaysia)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a silver coin with a RING that's been GIT (got) a jagged, serrated edge – a Ringgit.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A MEASURED OBJECT (e.g., 'the ringgit gained ground'); THE ECONOMY IS A LIVING ORGANISM (e.g., 'a healthy ringgit').
Practice
Quiz
What is the ISO 4217 code for the Malaysian Ringgit?