walking-around money
MediumInformal
Definition
Meaning
A small amount of cash kept for daily incidental expenses.
Informal discretionary funds for minor purchases or entertainment, often separate from larger budgets or savings.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically refers to physical cash, not digital funds. Conveys a sense of personal, accessible spending freedom.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is chiefly American. In British English, a close equivalent is 'pocket money' for adults, though 'walking-around money' is understood.
Connotations
In AmE, it carries a casual, practical connotation. In BrE, it may sound like an Americanism.
Frequency
Much more common in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
I have [amount] in walking-around money.He gave her some walking-around money for the trip.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Funny money”
- “Pin money”
- “Mad money”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; 'petty cash' is the formal business equivalent.
Academic
Virtually unused.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation about personal finance.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- He keeps a walking-around money fund in a drawer.
- It's just a walking-around money amount.
American English
- She has a walking-around money envelope in her purse.
- It's a walking-around money kind of day.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have ten pounds for walking-around money today.
- Before the holiday, I got some euros as walking-around money.
- My budget includes fifty dollars a week for walking-around money, separate from groceries or bills.
- The allowance wasn't intended for savings; it was purely walking-around money for incidental leisure expenses.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of money you carry while WALKING AROUND town for small buys like coffee or a magazine.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A MOBILE COMPANION (you take it with you as you move).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'гуляющие деньги'. Use 'мелкие наличные' or 'карманные деньги'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for large sums or digital transactions.
- Spelling as 'walking around money' without hyphens in formal writing.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'walking-around money' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the term strongly implies physical banknotes and coins for immediate, small purchases.
It's typically used for adults. For children, 'pocket money' or 'allowance' is more common.
No, it is informal. In formal contexts, use 'petty cash' (business) or 'discretionary cash'.
Not necessarily. It can refer to any casual, small sum kept for daily spending, whether regular or occasional.