What does dosh mean?
"Dosh" is an informal British slang term for money, particularly cash or a notable sum of it. It belongs to the same lively family of colloquial money words as "cash," "loot," and "moolah," and is heard most often in casual conversation, popular journalism, and light-hearted contexts rather than formal writing. Speakers might say they are "earning good dosh" or that something cost "loads of dosh." The word carries no strong negative connotation; its register is simply relaxed and conversational, sometimes with a hint of cheekiness. Grammatically it functions as an uncountable noun, so it does not normally take a plural form. Its etymology remains genuinely uncertain, which adds to its charm for word enthusiasts. For learners of British English, "dosh" is a useful marker of authentic, contemporary colloquial speech, instantly signalling an informal register in a way the neutral word "money" does not.
nounMoney, especially a significant amount of it. An informal British slang term used in casual conversation.
- Money, especially cash; an amount of money, often implying a considerable sum.
"He spent all his dosh on a new motorbike."
"She's earning serious dosh working in the City."
"I'd love to come on holiday, but I haven't got the dosh this month."
Treated as uncountable in standard usage; a plural form is not normally used.
"He's got plenty of dosh saved up for the trip."
"Dosh" is British slang for money with an origin so murky that even the Oxford English Dictionary throws up its hands — nobody knows quite where it came from.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dosh
The origin of "dosh" is uncertain, and dictionaries generally record it as of unknown derivation. It emerged as British slang in the mid-twentieth century, with early attestations around the 1950s. No secure cognates in other languages have been established, so confident claims about a shared root cannot be made.
How dosh is actually used
"Dosh" is distinctly informal and chiefly British, carrying a breezy, colloquial tone. It is common in everyday speech and tabloid journalism but out of place in formal writing. It is typically treated as an uncountable mass noun and rarely takes a plural form.
Easily confused with dosh
"Doss" means to sleep in rough or makeshift accommodation, while "dosh" means money; the two differ only by one letter.