pence

pence

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Pronunciation

/pɛns/

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Word Form Variations

The word "pence" is primarily used as a plural noun. Its word form variations are:

• Singular: penny (referring to a single unit of currency)

• Plural: pence (used collectively for an amount of money in pennies, or as the plural of "penny" in a general sense when referring to the currency itself)

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

pence

1. A plural form of "penny," referring to an amount of money in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries, equivalent to one hundredth of a pound. It is often used to refer to a sum of money composed of multiple pennies, or to the currency unit itself when discussing small denominations.

• Synonyms: pennies, coppers (informal, referring to the coins)

• Antonyms: pounds (in the context of larger denominations), wealth (in a broader sense of financial abundance)

2. (Historical) A former unit of currency in various countries, including those that previously used the British monetary system, representing a small sum.

• Synonyms: (none direct, as it's a specific historical unit)

• Antonyms: (none direct, as it refers to a specific historical unit)

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "He calculated the total, finding it came to precisely three shillings and sixpence, a surprisingly large sum for such a small parcel." (From a fictional historical novel)

• "The economic reforms aimed to stabilize the value of the shilling and the pence, which had been fluctuating wildly." (From a non-fiction book on economic history)

• Newspapers:

• "The price of a first-class stamp will rise by two pence next month, Royal Mail announced yesterday, pushing the cost to over a pound." (From The Guardian, UK, 2024)

• "Analysts are predicting a strong performance for the FTSE 100, with several companies seeing their share prices jump by tens of pence." (From The Times, UK, 2025)

• Online Publications:

• "Aldi's new budget range promises quality at just pence per item, challenging competitors to lower their prices." (From a consumer news website, e.g., MoneySavingExpert.com, 2023)

• "The crowdfunding campaign has raised over a thousand pounds, with donations coming in from just a few pence to hundreds of pounds." (From a charity's blog post, 2024)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Television (Drama): "That will be two pounds and ninety-nine pence, please," the cashier stated, as a character in a British crime drama paid for groceries. (Common dialogue in shows set in the UK)

• Music: (Lyric from a folk song about hardship) "Every shilling, every pence, we saved for a rainy day." (Example of general lyrical usage)

• Video Games: In a game set in a historical or fantasy British-inspired world, a character might say, "I've only got a few pence left, can you lend me some coin?" (Dialogue in an RPG, e.g., Fable series)

• YouTube/Podcasts: "Today, we're going to compare how much it costs to make a cup of tea in different countries, breaking it down to the last pence." (From a personal finance YouTube channel, 2024)

• General Public Discourse:

• "Can you lend me fifty pence for the bus fare?" (Common request between friends or family in the UK)

• "It's not worth the paper it's printed on, not worth a single pence." (Idiomatic expression, often used to dismiss something as worthless)

• "The parking meter only takes 10 pence or 20 pence coins." (Instruction given in a car park in the UK)

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10 Famous Quotes Using Pence

1.  "A penny saved is a penny earned." (Benjamin Franklin)

2.  "Take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves." (Common British Proverb, often attributed to Lord Chesterfield)

3.  "I haven't a penny to bless myself with." (Common idiom, indicating extreme poverty, found in various literary works, e.g., Charles Dickens)

4.  "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. But if you teach a man to fish, he'll ask for a ten-pence rod and reel, and then complain about the price of worms." (Humorous modern variation of a classic proverb, often found in internet memes or informal discourse)

5.  "For two pence, I'd tell you what I really think." (Common idiom, expressing a strong opinion about to be delivered, found in various forms of British media and literature)

6.  "He has not a jot or a tittle, not a penny, to lose." (Adapted from common legal/financial phrases, emphasizing absolute destitution)

7.  "The first ninety-nine pence are the hardest." (A play on the idea that the initial accumulation of wealth is the most difficult part of saving)

8.  "It was a moment of decision, where every pence counted." (Descriptive phrase from literature or journalism, highlighting the importance of small amounts in critical situations)

9.  "You want to get rich? Start with the pence, not the millions." (A piece of financial advice often given to emphasize the importance of budgeting and saving small amounts)

10. "Every pence on the dole, every shilling from the charity box, it all adds up." (Dialogue from a fictional work or social commentary, illustrating the cumulative effect of small contributions or benefits)

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Etymology

• Origin of "Penny": The word "penny" itself is very old. It comes from the Old English word "penig" or "pening," which had similar forms across various Germanic languages (like "Pfennig" in German). The exact original meaning of this root word isn't entirely clear, but it referred to a small coin. The first English coins, silver pennies, appeared in the 7th and 8th centuries.

• Evolution to "Pence": Over time, in the late 14th century, people started using "pence" as a collective plural for "penny." So, instead of saying "two pennies" when referring to a sum of money, they might say "two pence." The "-ce" ending in "pence" reflects a change in how the "s" sound at the end of "pennies" was pronounced, becoming voiceless (like in words such as "dice").

• First Known Use and Meaning: The earliest known use of "pence" as a noun, meaning a collective plural of "penny" referring to a sum of money, is in the late 14th century. This meaning has remained consistent. After 1971, when the UK adopted decimal currency, "pence" also began to be used in the singular, for example, "one pence," although "one penny" is still common.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Pence

1. Take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves. (A well-known proverb emphasizing frugality)

2. For two pence, I'd tell you what I really think. (An idiom indicating someone is on the verge of speaking their mind, often rudely)

3. Not worth a tinker's pence. (Meaning something is utterly worthless, often "tinker's dam" or "tinker's cuss" is used in similar idioms for worthlessness)

4. In for a penny, in for a pound. (An idiom meaning if you've committed to something, you should see it through, regardless of the effort or cost)

5. A penny for your thoughts. (An idiom asking someone what they are thinking)

6. Haven't got a penny/pence to bless myself with. (An idiom expressing extreme poverty or lack of money)

7. Every last pence. (Meaning every single unit of money, emphasizing thoroughness in accounting or spending)

8. Pinch pennies. (An idiom meaning to be very careful with money, to be frugal or parsimonious)

9. The final pence. (Referring to the absolute last amount of money, often in a context of depletion)

10. Not a jot or a pence. (Emphasizing a complete absence of something, particularly money or value, similar to "not a jot or a tittle")

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of pence from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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