finance

American  

[fi-nans, fahy-nans] / fɪˈnæns, ˈfaɪ næns /

noun

1. the management of revenues; the conduct or transaction of money matters generally, especially those affecting the public, as in the fields of banking and investment.

2. finances, the monetary resources, as of a government, company, organization, or individual; revenue.

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verb (used with object)

finances, present (3rd person singular) financed, past participle, past financing present participle

1. to supply with money or capital; obtain money or credit for.

verb (used without object)

finances, present (3rd person singular) financed, past participle, past financing present participle

1. to raise money or capital needed for financial operations.

finance British  

/ fɪˈnæns, ˈfaɪnæns /

noun

1. the system of money, credit, etc, esp with respect to government revenues and expenditures

2. funds or the provision of funds

3. (plural) funds; financial condition

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verb

1. (tr) to provide or obtain funds, capital, or credit for

2. (intr) to manage or secure financial resources

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• financeable
  adjective
• well-financed
  adjective
• prefinance
  verb (used with object)
• superfinance
  noun
• underfinance
  verb (used with object)
• self-finance
  verb (used with object)
• unfinanced
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has financed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have financed
  perfect
• am financing
  progressive 1st person singular
• finances
  singular 3rd person
• is financing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are financing
  progressive
• has been financing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• financing
  participle
• have been financing
  perfect progressive

Past

• had financed
  perfect
• were financing
  progressive plural
• was financing
  progressive singular
• financed
  simple
• had been financing
  perfect progressive
• financed
  participle

Future

• will finance
  simple
• will have financed
  perfect
• will be financing
  progressive
• will have been financing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of finance

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English finaunce, from Anglo-French, Middle French finance, from fin(er) “to end, settle, pay” ( see fine ²) + -ance -ance

Explanation

To finance something is to pay for it, like using the money you earn at your part-time job to finance your cell phone bill. As a verb, it carries two very different meanings: "to pay for" or "obtain on credit." So, if you can finance your trip, it means you have the money to pay for it. Anyone who works in finance, meaning the banking and investment industry, will tell you plenty of people get in trouble by letting credit cards finance things like vacations.

Example Sentences

Palmer, a spokesperson for the California Department of Finance, said it would be “premature” to comment on those requests, but “discussions have been underway and are continuing.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne told the BBC in April that the attention on Mythos was warranted, in part, because "it's the unknown, unknown".

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

Pulte, a finance and real estate guy by trade, is nominally head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

From Slate • Jun. 6, 2026

Finance chiefs are trying to get a better read on how much AI their companies are using to avoid a sticker shock moment as vendors begin charging for the technology by tokens.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

After walking through the meat district, the flower district, and the sculpture district, the three children arrived at the banking district, pausing to take a refreshing sip of water at the Fountain of Victorious Finance.

From "The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snicket

Related Words

• back
• bankroll
• fund
• guarantee
• promote
• sponsor
• subsidize
• support
• underwrite