What does money mean?
Money is a commonly accepted means of paying for goods, services, debts, and other obligations, usually in the form of coins, notes, bank balances, or electronic payment. In everyday use, the word also refers more broadly to financial resources: a person may say that they have money, lack money, save money, or make money. Its meaning can therefore include both the payment system itself and the wealth or resources available to an individual or organization. The word is generally neutral, although discussions of money can carry connotations of power, inequality, opportunity, or anxiety. In addition to its uncountable everyday use, money has the rare formal plural moneys, particularly in legal and financial language. As an informal verb, money means to provide financial support for a person, project, or activity. Money is a fundamental term in economics, commerce, and ordinary conversation, and its history connects closely with the development of coined currency and the institutions that created it.
A universally accepted medium of exchange or payment, such as coins, notes, or electronic credit, used to buy goods and services or settle obligations. By extension, it can mean financial resources or wealth.
"The business has enough money to hire two more employees."
Usually uncountable in modern English; moneys is a rare formal plural.
To provide money for someone or something, especially as financial support or funding.
"The investors agreed to money the project for its first year."
Informal, especially common in business, finance, and project-founding contexts.
Uncommon and formal. It is used mainly to refer to distinct sums, types, or sources of money, particularly in legal and financial contexts.
"The authorities investigated moneys believed to have been obtained through fraud."
The word for the money in your pocket and the word for mint share a root: Latin moneta.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does money come from?
English money comes through Middle English moneie, from Anglo-French monie, and ultimately from Latin moneta, a term associated with the mint and the right or function of striking coins. The Latin word itself reflects the image of Juno Moneta, and its precise historical origin is not entirely certain. The same root underlies related words such as monetary, mint, monetize, and monetization.
Related word forms
How money is actually used
Money is normally an uncountable noun in modern English. The plural moneys is uncommon but occurs in formal, legal, and financial contexts, especially when referring to distinct sums or types of money. As a verb, money is informal and means to provide or pay financial support for someone or something.
Easily confused with money
Money is the resource or medium of exchange itself, while monetary is an adjective relating to money, currency, or financial systems.