money

play

noun, often attributive mon·ey \ ˈmə-nē \

Updated on: 26 Jul 2017

Definition of money

plural moneys or monies play \ˈmə-nēz\

1 :something generally accepted as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment: such as

a :officially coined or stamped metal currency

newly minted money

b :money of account

c :paper money

handed the bank teller a wad of money

2 a :wealth reckoned in terms of money

made her money in the insurance business

b :an amount of money

raised the money for a new library

c moneys or monies plural :sums of money :funds

the collection of tax monies

3 :a form or denomination of coin or paper money

wanted his money in $10 bills

4 a :the first, second, and third place winners (as in a horse or dog race) —usually used in the phrases in the money or out of the money

b :prize money

his horse took third money

5 a :persons or interests possessing or controlling great wealth

politicians at the beck and call of money

b :a position of wealth

born into money

— for one's money

:according to one's preference or opinion

For my money, this is her best novel yet.

— on the money

:exactly right or accurate

His prediction that it would rain was right on the money.

Money Table

See money defined for English-language learners

See money defined for kids

Examples of money in a Sentence

That painting must be worth a lot of money.
He earned some money last summer as a musician.
We're trying to save enough money for a new car.
The town is raising money for the elementary school.
Friends would always ask her for money.
It's an interesting idea, but there's no money in it: it'll never sell.
He made his money in the insurance business.
They decided to put all their money in the stock market.
We didn't have much money when I was growing up.
Most of the project is being paid for by federal monies.

Recent Examples of money from the Web

BLACKSTONE TAILGATER 3-IN-1 COOKER Get more for your money with this 3-in-1 cooker, which features three different surfaces: a standard grill, a griddle and independent burners for cooking with pots and pans.

— the si staff, SI.com, "Get Ready for Fall with These Must-Have Tailgating Accessories," 31 Aug. 2017
The Robinsons were members of the Legion and the market helped raise money for the auxiliary.

— gloria casas, Elgin Courier-News, "Kane County Flea Market's founding family celebrates 50 years," 30 Aug. 2017
Despite applying for the grants, the city didn't get the money.

— cameron knight, Cincinnati.com, "Streetcar's second year: Ridership projections cut in half," 30 Aug. 2017
The Strange money advantage has not translated so far into votes.

— paul gattis, AL.com, "Mitch McConnell pours more money into Luther Strange campaign," 30 Aug. 2017
The U.S. has been talking to North Korea, and paying them extortion money, for 25 years.

— adam k. raymond, Daily Intelligencer, "North Korea: Missile Launch Was a ‘Prelude’ to a Guam Attack," 30 Aug. 2017
All of the money raised will go to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

— Naperville Sun, "How you can help Harvey victims," 30 Aug. 2017
The Rangers and Fox Sports Southwest also plan to conduct an on-air benefit in late September, to raise money for relief efforts.

— stefan stevenson, star-telegram, "Rangers donating portion of ticket sales, concessions to storm relief," 30 Aug. 2017
Here's where to donate money and supplies for Texans in shelters.

— Southern Living, "Hurricane Harvey Evacuees Need Diapers and Here's How You Can Help," 29 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'money.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of money

Middle English moneye, from Anglo-French moneie, from Latin moneta mint, money — more at mint

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

money Synonyms

Synonyms

bread [slang], bucks, cabbage [slang], cash, change, chips, coin, currency, dough, gold, green, jack [slang], kale [slang], legal tender, lolly [British], long green [slang], loot, lucre, moola (or moolah) [slang], needful, pelf, scratch [slang], shekels (also sheqels or shekelim or shekalim or sheqalim), tender, wampum

Antonyms

have-not, pauper

Related Words

coinage, specie; dead presidents [slang], folding money, paper money, scrip; banknote, cashier's check, check, draft, money order, note, promissory note; bill, dollar, greenback; bankroll, capital, finances, funds, roll [slang], wad, wallet; chump change, dibs [slang], dime, mite, peanuts, pittance, shoestring; big bucks, bomb [British], boodle, bundle, earth, fortune, king's ransom, megabucks, mint, packet [chiefly British], pile, pot; abundance, means, opulence, riches, treasure, wealth; resources, wherewithal; mad money, petty cash, pin money, pocket money, spending money

Near Antonyms

bankrupt, beggar

Other Monetary Terms

clad, legend, numismatic, obverse, reverse, scrip, series, specie

money

adjective

Definition of money

:involving or reliable in a crucial situation

a money player

a money pitch

Origin and Etymology of money

see ¹money

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1934

See Words from the same year

Financial Definition of MONEY

money

noun

What It Is

Money is a medium of exchange for goods or services within an economy.

How It Works

Philosophically, anything can be money, but coins and paper notes are the most generally accepted forms. In most cases, each country in the world has its own money, but in many cases several countries use the same money (such as the Euro). A country's government designs and manufactures that country's money.

Some money is fiat money, meaning that it has no intrinsic value. That is, the paper or metal used to create the money is not worth very much in terms of its value as a raw material. Most paper money is fiat money, and its value comes from what it represents rather than what it is. Before 1971, the U.S. dollar was not fiat money -- it was backed by a corresponding amount of gold held with the Federal Reserve.

The foreign exchange markets are places to trade money, and these markets affect exchange rates (that is, the amounts of one money needed to buy a certain amount of another money).

Why It Matters

Most money only has value because people want it. This idea is what made beaver pelts, shells, peppercorns, tulip bulbs, and other things into money at various points in history. However, when the demand (or fashion) faded for some of these goods (or more people found they really needed corn instead of beaver pelts), these systems became cumbersome. Paper money solves these problem because it is exchangeable for any good or service that people want (rather than just beaver pelts).

This isn't to say that paper and coins aren't the only forms of viable money today. Quite often, companies use shares of their own stock as money to acquire other companies, and anybody who has ever watched a crime show knows that cigarettes can buy a lot in prison.

Source: Investing Answers

MONEY Defined for English Language Learners

money

play

noun

Definition of money for English Language Learners

: something (such as coins or bills) used as a way to pay for goods and services and to pay people for their work
: a person's wealth : the money that a person has
monies : amounts of money