thaler: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHistorical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “thaler” mean?
A silver coin used in various German states from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A silver coin used in various German states from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
A historical currency; the etymological origin of the word 'dollar'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use it as a historical term.
Connotations
Historical, antiquated, scholarly.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday language for both. May appear more frequently in academic historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “thaler” in a Sentence
[a/an] [adjective] thalerthaler [of + origin/date]thaler [as + historical context]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in modern business.
Academic
Used in history, economics, and numismatics to discuss pre-modern European currency systems.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in numismatics (coin collecting) to classify specific coins.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thaler”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thaler”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thaler”
- Using 'thaler' to refer to modern dollars or euros.
- Misspelling as 'taler' or 'thaller'.
- Assuming it is a current unit of currency.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the thaler is not legal tender. It is a historical coin.
The word 'dollar' is an anglicised form of 'thaler'. The Spanish peso was widely called a 'Spanish dollar', and this name was adopted for the US currency.
No, that would be incorrect and confusing. 'Thaler' refers specifically to the historical German coins.
The Maria Theresa thaler, minted from 1740 onwards, is perhaps the most famous and was widely used in trade across the Mediterranean, Africa, and the Middle East well into the 20th century.
A silver coin used in various German states from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
Thaler is usually historical/academic in register.
Thaler: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɑːlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɑːlər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth a thaler (archaic, meaning worthless)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Thaler' is the ancestor of the 'Dollar'. Both words sound similar and share a history.
Conceptual Metaphor
A THALER IS A RELIC OF THE PAST.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'thaler'?