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• cash
  cash

  noun

  money in the form of coins or banknotes, especially that issued by a government.
• Cash
  Cash

  noun

  John Johnny, 1932–2003, U.S. country-and-western singer, musician, and composer.

cash

¹ American  

[kash] / kæʃ /

noun

1. money in the form of coins or banknotes, especially that issued by a government.

2. money or an equivalent, as a check, paid at the time of making a purchase.

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verb (used with object)

1. to give or obtain cash for (a check, money order, etc.).

2. Cards.

   1. to win (a trick) by leading an assured winner.

   2. to lead (an assured winner) in order to win a trick.

      He cashed his ace and led the queen.

verb phrase

1. cash in

   1. to turn in and get cash for (one's chips), as in a gambling casino.

   2. to end or withdraw from a business agreement; convert one's assets into cash.

   3. Slang. to die.

      After her parents cashed in, she lived with her grandmother.

2. cash in on to profit from; use to one's advantage.

   swindlers who cash in on the credulity of the public.

idioms

1. cash in one's chips, to die.

cash ² American  

[kash] / kæʃ /

noun

• cash
  plural

1. any of several low-denomination coins of China, India, and the East Indies, especially a Chinese copper coin.

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Cash ³ American  

[kash] / kæʃ /

noun

1. John Johnny, 1932–2003, U.S. country-and-western singer, musician, and composer.

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cash ¹ British  

/ kæʃ /

noun

1. banknotes and coins, esp in hand or readily available; money or ready money

2. immediate payment, in full or part, for goods or services (esp in the phrase cash down )

3. (modifier) of, for, or paid by cash

   a cash transaction

4. a checkout counter

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verb

1. (tr) to obtain or pay ready money for

   to cash a cheque

Cash ² British  

/ kæʃ /

noun

1. Johnny. 1932–2003, US country-and-western singer, guitarist, and songwriter. His recordings include the hits "I Walk the Line" (1956), "Ring of Fire" (1963), "A Boy named Sue" (1969), and the American Recordings series of albums (1994–2003)

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cash ³ British  

/ kæʃ /

noun

1. any of various Chinese, Indonesian, or Indian coins of low value

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cash More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing cash

• cold cash

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• cashability
  noun
• cashableness
  noun
• cashable
  adjective
• uncashed
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• cash
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cash¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French casse, from Old Italian cassa, from Latin capsa “(cylindrical) case (for books)”; see also cashier ¹

Origin of cash²

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Portuguese caixa, from Tamil kācu the name of a copper coin, from Sanskrit karṣa a weight (of precious metal)

Explanation

Cash is money. If you've got extra cash in your pocket, you can put a dollar in the tip jar when you buy a cup of coffee. When you use the word cash, you usually mean actual paper and coin currency: dollar bills and quarters, for example. People often contrast cash with credit cards or checks, and your favorite diner may have a sign that says "Cash only!" When you cash a check, a bank gives you the written amount in bills and coins. In the late 16th century, cash meant "money box," from the Latin capsa, "box."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cash Cash

The cash value for Monday’s drawing if taken as a lump sum payment would be $391.9 million, game officials said in a news release.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

It added that it closed the second quarter with total assets of $2bn and financial assets of about $1.9bn, which includes cash, short-term investments and digital currencies.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

If the company was subsequently sold to a private buyer, the government would be able to recoup some taxpayer cash.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

FSG will maintain control of the team, and will cash in on their investment if this deal is executed, reports say.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026

At the cash register she still didn’t know what she wanted.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

There were 59 million monthly transacting active users for Cash App in the month of June.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026

Although the artist is only identified by his initials, N.D.C, the Times was able to identify him through social media and news reports as Nayvadius DeMun Cash, the rapper known professionally as “Future.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

While Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia started against Sociedad, many of Emery's trusted lieutenants were missing.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

Cash balance plans aren’t available at most companies, but they are a valuable perk for workers with access to them.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

I paused again before going over to Hanson’s Cash Grocery.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson

Related Words

• buck
• currency
• investment
• note
• payment
• refund
• reserve
• security
• stock
• supply