Noun A2 — Elementary /ˈmʌn.i/

Money — Definition, Examples & Pronunciation

Coins and banknotes used as a medium of exchange — the foundation of everyday economic life.

Quick Definition

Money is coins and banknotes used as a medium of exchange; the wealth or financial resources that a person or organisation possesses.

What Does Money Mean?

Money is one of the most common nouns in English, used at every level from A1 upwards. In its core sense it refers to the physical coins and banknotes you use to pay for things. In a broader sense it describes financial wealth in general — savings, income, investments, and assets.

The word is uncountable in standard British English, which means it has no plural form on its own. You cannot say "a money" or "two monies". Instead use quantifiers such as some money, a lot of money, or not much money. When you need to count specific units, use the currency name: five pounds, twenty euros.

Note the important distinction between related terms: cash refers specifically to physical money (coins and notes) as opposed to card payments; currency refers to the official monetary system of a country; funds is a more formal word for money available for a specific purpose; and wealth refers to the total value of everything a person owns.

Etymology

The word money comes from Latin moneta, an epithet of the goddess Juno Moneta, in whose temple on the Capitoline Hill in Rome coins were minted. The Latin word passed into Old French as moneie and entered Middle English as moneye around the 13th century. The same Latin root gives us mint (the place where coins are produced) and the adjective monetary. The Indo-European root *men- ("to think, to warn") is shared with mind and mentor.

Example Sentences

SentenceLevel & usage note
She saved up money to pay for the language course.A2 — core meaning: saving money for a purpose
I don't have much money left until the end of the month.B1 — uncountable with quantifier; common everyday context
The charity is raising money to build a new school in the village.B1 — collocation: raise money; context of fundraising
Investing money wisely requires patience as well as knowledge of the market.B2 — collocation: invest money; more formal financial register
The allocation of public money to infrastructure projects remains a contentious political issue.C1 — formal register; public money as fixed phrase; complex nominal group

Common Collocations

CollocationExample
earn moneyShe earns money by tutoring students at weekends.
save moneyWe are trying to save money for a holiday.
spend moneyHe spends a lot of money on books.
waste moneyBuying things you don't need is a way to waste money.
raise moneyThe school raised money for a local food bank.
borrow moneyThey had to borrow money from the bank to buy the flat.
invest moneyIt can be risky to invest money in the stock market.
run out of moneyWe ran out of money before the end of the trip.
make moneyHer new business is starting to make money.
pocket moneyMy parents gave me pocket money every Saturday.

Usage Notes

Key grammar & register points

Uncountable noun: Money does not take an indefinite article or a simple plural. Use some money, a sum of money, a large amount of money, or a little money.

Definite article: Use the money when referring to a specific sum already mentioned or understood: "I found the money under the mattress." Compare with the general sense: "Money can't buy happiness."

Compound nouns: Money combines freely with other nouns to form compounds: money box, money transfer, money market, money laundering. In these compounds money functions as a modifier and is not pluralised.

Register: In formal or academic writing, prefer funds, financial resources, or capital over money. In everyday speech and informal writing, money is always appropriate.

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

I don't have many monies in my wallet.

I don't have much money in my wallet. (money is uncountable: use much, not many)

She gave me a money to buy lunch.

She gave me some money to buy lunch. (no indefinite article with uncountable nouns)

I need to do some moneys before the trip.

I need to sort out some money before the trip. (money has no standard plural form in this sense)

Related Words

cost pay value amount number cash currency wealth funds income budget monetary

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Vocabulary Quiz Hangman

Frequently Asked Questions about “money”

What does money mean in English?
Money means coins and banknotes that people use to buy goods and services. More broadly it refers to a person's financial wealth or resources. It is an uncountable noun in standard British English: 'I need some money', not 'I need a money'.
Is money countable or uncountable?
Money is uncountable in English. You cannot say 'a money' or 'two monies'. Instead, use quantifiers: 'some money', 'a lot of money', 'not much money'. If you want to talk about specific amounts, use words like 'coins', 'notes', 'pounds', or 'dollars'.
What is the difference between money, cash, and currency?
Money is the general term for the medium of exchange used in an economy. Cash refers specifically to physical money — coins and banknotes you can hold in your hand, as opposed to a card payment or bank transfer. Currency refers to the official money system of a particular country, such as the British pound or the euro.
What are common collocations with money?
Common collocations include: earn money, save money, spend money, waste money, raise money, borrow money, lend money, invest money, make money, and run out of money. These verb + money combinations are the most natural way to talk about money in English.
How do you use money in a sentence?
Because money is uncountable, use it with uncountable quantifiers: 'I don't have much money.' Use the definite article when referring to specific money: 'I spent the money on books.' Use 'some' in positive sentences ('I have some money') and 'any' in questions and negatives ('Do you have any money?').
What is the origin of the word money?
The word money comes from Latin 'moneta', an epithet of the goddess Juno, in whose temple in Rome coins were minted. It passed through Old French 'moneie' before entering Middle English as 'moneye' around the 13th century. The same Latin root gives us 'mint' (the place where coins are made) and 'monetary'.
What is the adjective form of money?
The main adjective form is 'monetary', used in formal or economic contexts: 'monetary policy', 'monetary value'. In informal speech, 'money' itself is used as a modifier: 'money problems', 'money transfer'. The adjective 'moneyed' (or 'monied') means wealthy: 'a moneyed family'.
What is the difference between money and finance?
Money is the physical or digital medium used for transactions. Finance refers to the management, investment, and movement of large amounts of money, especially in business or government contexts. You might talk about your personal money problems, but a company discusses its finances or financial situation.
What English idioms use the word money?
There are many idioms: 'money talks' (wealth gives power), 'time is money' (do not waste time), 'put your money where your mouth is' (back your words with action), 'money doesn't grow on trees' (money must be earned, not wasted), and 'in the money' (suddenly wealthy or winning).
How can I practise using money in English?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to practise money in context, or use the Flash Cards tool to test this and related vocabulary. For a deeper challenge, the Vocabulary Quiz tests money collocations such as 'earn', 'save', and 'invest'. Reading news articles on business and economics is also excellent practice.