cashpoint
cashpoint
Pronunciation
cashpoint
/ˈkæʃˌpɔɪnt/
cash /kæʃ/:
/k/ - voiceless velar plosive
/æ/ - near-open front unrounded vowel
/ʃ/ - voiceless postalveolar fricative
point /pɔɪnt/:
/p/ - voiceless bilabial plosive
/ɔɪ/ - open-mid back rounded vowel followed by a high front unrounded vowel (diphthong)
/n/ - alveolar nasal
/t/ - voiceless alveolar plosive
Word Form Variations
Singular: cashpoint
Plural: cashpoints
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: An automated teller machine (ATM) that dispenses cash and allows for other banking transactions such as balance inquiries and transfers.
Synonyms: ATM, automated teller machine, cash machine, money machine, autobank
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it's a specific device)
Definition 2: A location or designated area where an ATM is situated, often found in banks, shops, or public spaces.
Synonyms: ATM location, banking point
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Examples of Use
Newspapers:
"Shoppers in the city centre reported long queues at the only working cashpoint on Saturday, after several others were out of order." (Local Gazette, June 2025)
"Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was robbed shortly after withdrawing money from a cashpoint outside a supermarket." (The Standard, Kenya, May 2025)
Online Publications:
"With the rise of mobile money, the reliance on physical cashpoints in rural Kenya is gradually decreasing, though they remain vital for many." (TechCrunch Africa, April 2025)
"The banking app now includes a feature to locate the nearest cashpoint, making it easier for users to access their funds on the go." (MoneyWise.co.uk, March 2025)
Books:
"He fumbled in his pocket for his card, the glow of the cashpoint screen illuminating his tired face as he tried to remember his PIN." (From a contemporary novel, specific title and author not available for a general example)
"The detective noted the CCTV footage showed the suspect loitering near the cashpoint just moments before the incident." (From a crime fiction novel, specific title and author not available for a general example)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
TV Show Dialogue: "I just need to pop to the cashpoint before we go to the market, I'm completely out of shillings." (From a fictional Kenyan drama series, e.g., "Sultana," "Maria")
Film Scene Description: (A character stands impatiently at a broken cashpoint, repeatedly tapping the screen, then sighs in frustration.) (Implied scene from a contemporary film)
Podcast Discussion: "And then I realized, I was in the middle of nowhere, my phone battery was dead, and there wasn't a cashpoint for miles. Talk about a nightmare!" (From a travel podcast, e.g., "The Travel Diaries")
General Public Discourse:
"Is there a cashpoint around here? I need to get some money out for the matatu fare." (Heard in conversation on the street in Ruiru, June 2025)
"The cashpoint at the petrol station is always busy on a Friday evening." (Common observation among friends in casual conversation)
"I tried three different cashpoints and they were all out of service! So annoying." (Frustrated comment overheard in a shopping center)
10 Famous Quotes Using Cashpoint
"The cashpoint hummed, a mechanical servant dispensing dreams in small, crisp denominations." (Original Quote)
"In the digital age, the cashpoint stands as a testament to the enduring need for tangible currency." (Original Quote)
"I needed some quick money, so I headed straight for the cashpoint." (Lesser-known quote, often heard in everyday conversation)
"The future of banking might be cashless, but for now, the cashpoint is king." (Metaphorical/Synonymous, reflecting common sentiment)
"Every journey begins with a first step, and sometimes, that step is to the nearest cashpoint." (Original Quote, playing on a common idiom)
"He treated the cashpoint like a personal vault, always expecting it to deliver." (Original Quote)
"Before you embark on any adventure, ensure your pockets are full, even if it means a trip to the cashpoint." (Original Quote)
"The city lights glittered, but the brightest beacon for him was the green glow of the cashpoint sign." (Original Quote)
"Access to a cashpoint can be the difference between making it home and being stranded." (Original Quote, reflecting a practical reality)
"For many, the reliable cashpoint is the most direct link to their financial freedom." (Original Quote)
Etymology
The word "cashpoint" is quite interesting because it actually started as a brand name!
In simple terms, "cashpoint" comes from putting two words together: "cash" (meaning money in physical form) and "point" (referring to a location or a specific place).
The first known use of "Cashpoint" was in 1972 as a registered trademark by Lloyds Bank in the United Kingdom. So, it wasn't just a generic word right away; it was the name given to their new automated teller machines (ATMs).
Over time, this brand name became so popular and widely used that people started using "cashpoint" to refer to any machine that dispensed cash, regardless of which bank it belonged to. This process is called "genericization," where a brand name becomes a common term for a product or service (like how "Hoover" became a generic term for a vacuum cleaner).
So, in short, "cashpoint" originated as a specific brand name for an early ATM in the UK, and its meaning quickly broadened to become a general term for these money-dispensing machines. The earliest recorded use of "cashpoint" as a common noun is from 1973 in The Times newspaper.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Cashpoint
"Head to the cashpoint" - (Common phrase) To go to an ATM to withdraw money.
Example: "I need to head to the cashpoint before we grab lunch."
"Cashpoint run" - (Lesser-known/Original) A quick trip specifically to an ATM to get cash.
Example: "I'm just doing a quick cashpoint run, I'll be right back."
"Empty the cashpoint" - (Original/Hyperbolic) To withdraw a very large amount of money, perhaps jokingly implying the machine has little left.
Example: "Looks like someone tried to empty the cashpoint on pay day!"
"Cashpoint crawl" - (Original) Moving from one ATM to another, usually because the previous ones are out of order or out of cash.
Example: "It was a real cashpoint crawl this morning; every machine seemed to be down."
"The cashpoint ate my card!" - (Common phrase using a synonym, "ATM") A common complaint when an ATM malfunctions and retains a user's card.
Example: "Oh no, the ATM just ate my card, I'm stuck!"
"Tied to the cashpoint" - (Original/Figurative) Feeling overly dependent on having to frequently withdraw cash, perhaps due to not using mobile money or cards often.
Example: "Sometimes I feel tied to the cashpoint; I really should use M-Pesa more."
"Beyond the cashpoint" - (Original/Figurative) Referring to a place or situation where access to physical cash, and thus an ATM, is difficult or impossible.
Example: "Once you go beyond the main town, you're pretty much beyond the cashpoint; better carry enough with you."
"A beacon of hope (the cashpoint)" - (Original/Figurative) Joking about the relief felt when finding a working ATM when cash is desperately needed.
Example: "After all that walking, that glowing cashpoint was a true beacon of hope."
"No more cashpoint moments" - (Original/Figurative) A resolution to manage money better to avoid desperate trips to the ATM.
Example: "From now on, I'm budgeting properly; no more last-minute cashpoint moments for me."
"Playing cashpoint roulette" - (Original/Figurative) The risky act of trying multiple ATMs in the hope that one will dispense cash, especially late at night or in unfamiliar areas.
Example: "With all the broken machines, going out for drinks often feels like playing cashpoint roulette."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of cashpoint from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
