notgeld

noun

not·​geld
ˈnȯtˌgeld,
ˈnät-,
G ˈnōtˌgelt
plural -s
: necessity money used in Germany and some eastern European states especially after World War I

Word History

Etymology

German, from not necessity (from Old High German nōt) + geld money (from Old High German gelt income, value)

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of notgeld was in 1916

The Ultimate Dicitonary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near notgeld

Cite this Entry

“Notgeld.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/notgeld. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!