Did you know?
Although yen suggests no more than a strong desire these days (as in “a yen for a beach vacation”), at one time someone with a yen was in deep trouble: the first meaning of yen, used in the late 19th century, was an intense craving for opium. The word comes from yīn-yáhn, a combination of yīn, meaning “opium,” and yáhn, “craving,” in the Chinese language used in the province of Guangdong. In English, the Chinese syllables were translated as yen-yen, and eventually shortened to yen.
Synonyms of yen
Relevance
Noun (2)
Verb
Examples of yen in a Sentence
Noun (2)
I have a strange yen to take the day off from work
Verb
A car lover who predictably yens for the latest and greatest new models.
Recent Examples on the Web
ABC News, 18 Mar. 2026
The greenback has also exhibited defensive characteristics, while other traditional safe-haven currencies such as the Japanese yen have faltered.
—Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
In Japan, which relies on the Middle East for about 90% of its oil imports, the surge in crude prices combined with a weak yen raises the risk of stagflation.
—Erica Yokoyama, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
Nightly rates at Imperial Hotel, Kyoto start at 164,500 yen (about $1,075).
—Leandra Beabout, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for yen
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Geopolitical uncertainty, especially the war in Iran, loom large for Japan's export-reliant economy, but a weak yen is likely to work as a plus.
—ABC News, 18 Mar. 2026
The greenback has also exhibited defensive characteristics, while other traditional safe-haven currencies such as the Japanese yen have faltered.
—Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
In Japan, which relies on the Middle East for about 90% of its oil imports, the surge in crude prices combined with a weak yen raises the risk of stagflation.
—Erica Yokoyama, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
Nightly rates at Imperial Hotel, Kyoto start at 164,500 yen (about $1,075).
—Leandra Beabout, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for yen
Cite this Entry
“Yen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yen. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
