What does threepence mean?
Threepence is a chiefly British word for a former coin worth three pence or, more generally, for an amount of money equal to three pence. It belongs to the vocabulary of pre-decimal Britain, when coins such as the threepence were familiar everyday objects and amounts were expressed in pounds, shillings, and pence. Today, direct references to the coin are generally historical, although the word survives in idiomatic expressions. Saying that something is “not worth a threepence” means that it has little or no value, while “not give a threepence for it” means not to care about it at all. In these expressions, the small value of the coin emphasizes contempt or indifference. The word can also sound deliberately nostalgic or humorous when used in modern speech.
nounA former British coin worth three pence. By extension, the word can mean an amount of money totaling three pence.
- A former British coin worth three pence.
- An amount of money equal to three pence.
"The old woman placed a threepence on the counter and asked for a packet of sweets."
"He slipped a threepence into the slot machine, but it swallowed the coin without paying out."
"She would not give a threepence for the rumour, showing that she considered it worthless."
The plural is uncommon and is used mainly when referring to individual coins.
"The collector displayed several threepences alongside halfpennies and farthings."
Before decimalisation, a threepence was a tiny British coin, yet the expression “not worth a threepence” still makes a thing sound completely worthless.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does threepence come from?
Threepence is an English compound formed from “three” and “pence.” The word “pence” comes from the plural of “penny,” which derives from Old English pening and ultimately from a Germanic root for a coin or small money token. The compound developed alongside the older monetary system of pounds, shillings, and pence, before the United Kingdom adopted decimal currency in 1971.
Related word forms
How threepence is actually used
Chiefly British and now largely historical or idiomatic. Outside expressions such as “not worth a threepence,” the word sounds old-fashioned, though it can be used deliberately for nostalgic or comic effect.
Easily confused with threepence
Threepence is normally the noun naming the coin or amount, while threepenny is commonly an adjective meaning worth three pence or a noun naming the coin informally.