money
money
Pronunciation
/ˈmʌni/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds:
mun:
/m/ - This is a voiced bilabial nasal consonant. Your lips are together, and air comes out through your nose.
/ʌ/ - This is the "uh" sound as in "cup" or "strut". It's a vowel sound made with your tongue in the middle of your mouth.
/n/ - This is a voiced alveolar nasal consonant. Your tongue touches the ridge behind your teeth, and air comes out through your nose.
ee:
/i/ - This is the "ee" sound as in "see" or "tree". It's a vowel sound where your tongue is high and forward in your mouth.
Word Form Variations
"Money" is an uncountable noun, it doesn't have a plural form in the traditional sense. You can't say "moneys."
However, you can use different phrases to express different quantities or types of money:
To express plural amounts:
sums of money
types of money (e.g., foreign moneys)
To express specific amounts:
a dollar
five pounds
ten euros
Other forms related to money:
monetary (adjective): relating to money or currency
monetize (verb): to convert something into money
moneyed (adjective): wealthy, having a lot of money
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A current medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes; coins and banknotes collectively.
Synonyms: cash, currency, legal tender, funds, capital, wealth, assets
Antonyms: debt, liability, poverty, broke
Definition 2: A particular unit of currency.
Example: "The Euro is a strong money."
Synonyms: currency, legal tender
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, but could be contrasted with "barter system" or "non-monetary exchange")
Definition 3: (Informal) Wealth; affluence.
Example: "She comes from old money."
Synonyms: wealth, riches, fortune, affluence, prosperity
Antonyms: poverty, destitution, hardship
Verb
Definition 1: (Informal) To earn money.
Example: "He monetized his blog by adding advertisements."
Synonyms: earn, profit, gain, make, bring in, generate
Antonyms: lose, spend, squander, waste
Adjective
While "money" isn't typically used as an adjective on its own, it appears in compound adjectives:
money-hungry: Excessively eager for wealth.
Synonyms: greedy, avaricious, materialistic, mercenary
Antonyms: generous, altruistic, philanthropic
money-grubbing: Similar to money-hungry, but often with a more negative connotation, implying unethical or ruthless pursuit of wealth.
Synonyms: miserly, grasping, rapacious
Antonyms: generous, charitable, benevolent
Examples of Use
Books:
Fiction: "The love of money is the root of all evil." (1 Timothy 6:10, The Bible) This oft-quoted verse highlights the potential corrupting influence of wealth.
Non-Fiction: "Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game" by Michael Lewis (2003) explores how the Oakland Athletics baseball team used statistical analysis to overcome financial limitations and compete with wealthier teams. This book demonstrates the impact of money (or lack thereof) on competitive sports.
Newspapers:
Financial News: "The Federal Reserve announced today that it will raise interest rates in an effort to combat inflation." (The Wall Street Journal) Newspapers frequently discuss economic concepts like interest rates, inflation, and monetary policy, all related to the function and management of money.
Local News: "The city council approved a budget that allocates more money for education and infrastructure." (Any local newspaper) Budget allocation and public spending are common topics in local news, reflecting how money is used to fund public services.
Online Publications:
Blogs: Many personal finance blogs offer advice on saving money, investing, and managing debt. (e.g., Mr. Money Mustache)
News Websites: Online news sources like the BBC or CNN regularly report on economic trends, financial markets, and the impact of money on global events.
Entertainment:
Movies: "The Wolf of Wall Street" (2013) depicts the excesses and moral dilemmas associated with the pursuit of wealth in the financial industry.
Music: Numerous songs address themes of money, wealth, poverty, and greed. Examples include "Money" by Pink Floyd, "Material Girl" by Madonna, and "Bills, Bills, Bills" by Destiny's Child.
Television: Shows like "Shark Tank" focus on entrepreneurs seeking investments to launch or grow their businesses, highlighting the role of money in innovation and economic development.
General Public Discourse:
Politics: Discussions about taxes, government spending, and economic inequality often revolve around the distribution and use of money in society.
Everyday Conversations: People regularly talk about money in relation to their jobs, expenses, savings, and financial goals.
10 Famous Quotes Using Money
"Too many people spend money they haven’t earned to buy things they don’t want to impress people they don’t like." – Will Rogers
"Money often costs too much." – Ralph Waldo Emerson
"A wise person should have money in their head, but not in their heart." – Jonathan Swift
"Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant." – P.T. Barnum
"Money can’t buy happiness, but it can make you awfully comfortable while you’re being miserable." – Clare Boothe Luce
"It’s not the money that makes you rich, it’s the knowledge." – Robert Kiyosaki
"Where large sums of money are concerned, it is advisable to trust nobody." – Agatha Christie
"Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that." – Norman Vincent Peale
"Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver." – Ayn Rand
"The lack of money is the root of all evil." – Mark Twain
Etymology
The word "money" has a fascinating history that takes us all the way back to ancient Rome!
Here's the simplified journey:
It starts with a goddess: The Romans had a goddess named Juno, who was known by many names. One of these was Moneta, which might have come from the Latin word "monere," meaning "to warn" or "advise." This makes sense because Juno Moneta was seen as a protector, someone who could warn of danger.
From temple to mint: There was a temple dedicated to Juno Moneta in Rome. Interestingly, this is where the ancient Romans also made their coins! So, the place where money was made became associated with the goddess's name.
"Moneta" becomes "money": The Latin word "moneta" first meant "mint" (the place where coins are made). Over time, it also came to mean the coins themselves, and eventually, any form of currency. This word then traveled through French ("moneie") and finally arrived in English as "money" sometime in the 14th century.
So, the word "money" ultimately traces back to a Roman goddess and the place where coins were made! Isn't that cool?
Phrases + Idioms Containing Money
Common Phrases:
Money talks: Wealth gives one power and influence.
Money is no object: Cost is not a factor in making a decision.
Put your money where your mouth is: Back up your words with actions, especially financial commitment.
Money doesn't grow on trees: Money is a limited resource, not to be wasted.
For love or money: Under no circumstances. ("I wouldn't do that for love or money!")
Easy money: Income obtained with little effort.
Throw money at (something): Try to solve a problem by spending a lot of money, often without careful planning.
Idioms with Synonyms:
Cost an arm and a leg: (very expensive)
Nest egg: (savings set aside for the future)
Bring home the bacon: (earn a living)
Line your pockets: (acquire wealth, often dishonestly)
A penny saved is a penny earned: (saving money is as good as earning it)
Go Dutch: (each person pays their own share)
Break the bank: (spend all your money)
Lesser-Known Phrases:
Money for old rope: Easy or effortless earnings.
On the money: Exactly right or accurate.
Original Phrases (for fun):
Money whispers, but debt shouts: Small expenses are easy to ignore, but large debts become a major problem.
Chasing money is like trying to catch the wind: It can be elusive and unsatisfying.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of money from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.