shilling: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Historical
Quick answer
What does “shilling” mean?
A former unit of British currency, equal to one twentieth of a pound or twelve old pence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A former unit of British currency, equal to one twentieth of a pound or twelve old pence.
A coin representing this unit; historically used in other Commonwealth countries; used metaphorically to refer to a small amount of money or an outdated system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, it is a historical term. In the US, it is a foreign currency term with no domestic historical usage.
Connotations
UK: nostalgia, pre-decimal era, 'old money'. US: foreign, archaic, British colonial history.
Frequency
Much more frequent in UK English due to cultural memory, though still low-frequency overall. In US English, it appears mainly in historical or financial contexts concerning former British territories.
Grammar
How to Use “shilling” in a Sentence
[Verb] + shilling(s): cost/be worth/charge/pay a shilling[Number] + shilling(s) + [Noun]: a ten-shilling noteVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shilling” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To 'shilling' someone is not standard. Historically, one could be 'shillinged' out of a sum, meaning cheated of shillings.
American English
- The term is not used as a verb in AmE.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The shilling price was displayed in old ledgers.
- A shilling novel (a cheap, popular book).
American English
- Shilling coins are collected by numismatists.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In historical financial reports or discussions of legacy systems.
Academic
In historical, economic, or numismatic studies.
Everyday
Rare, used by older generations in the UK recalling pre-decimal prices.
Technical
In numismatics (coin collecting) or historical accounting.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shilling”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shilling”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shilling”
- Using it as a current UK currency term (e.g., 'It costs five shillings').
- Confusing it with a modern pound or penny.
- Misspelling as 'shiling' or 'schilling'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the shilling was demonetised as a unit of currency in the UK in 1971 with decimalisation. The coin itself remained in circulation as a 5 pence piece until the early 1990s.
'Bob' was common slang for a shilling in pre-decimal Britain (e.g., 'ten bob note' for a ten-shilling note).
Yes, several East African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Somalia use shillings as their official currency, though these are distinct from the old British shilling.
It historically meant to enlist as a soldier in the British army, originating from the practice of giving a shilling to new recruits as a symbolic first payment.
A former unit of British currency, equal to one twentieth of a pound or twelve old pence.
Shilling is usually formal, historical in register.
Shilling: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃɪlɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃɪlɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not worth a shilling”
- “take the King's/Queen's shilling (enlist in the army)”
- “short by a shilling”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an old SHIP with a SAILING cost of one SHILLING. Ship-illing sounds like shilling.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SHILLING IS A MEASURE OF (MINIMAL) VALUE (e.g., 'not worth a shilling').
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts is the word 'shilling' most likely to be used accurately today?