pelf

noun

\ˈpelf

\

Definition of pelf

: money, riches

Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about pelf

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

In the 14th century, the Anglo-French word pelfre, meaning "booty" or "stolen goods," was exchanged into English as "pelf" with the added meaning of "property." ("Pelfre" is also an ancestor of the English verb pilfer, meaning "to steal.") Two centuries later "pelf" showed gains when people began to use it for "money" and "riches." In some regions of Britain the word's use was diversified further, in a depreciative way, to refer to trash and good-for-nothings. The first of those meanings was a loss by about the mid-17th century; the second has little value outside of the Yorkshire region of England.

Examples of pelf in a Sentence

a politician who seems more interested in pelf than in policy

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about pelf

Listen to Our Podcast about pelf

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries near pelf

Statistics for pelf

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for pelf

The first known use of pelf was circa 1505

See more words from the same year

WORD OF THE DAY

mawkish

exaggeratedly or childishly emotional

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz

Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games