currency

American  

[kur-uhn-see, kuhr-] / ˈkɜr ən si, ˈkʌr- /

noun

• currencies
  plural

1. something that is used as a medium of exchange; money.

2. general acceptance; prevalence; vogue.

3. a time or period during which something is widely accepted and circulated.

4. the fact or quality of being widely accepted and circulated from person to person.

5. circulation, as of coin.

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currency British  

/ ˈkʌrənsɪ /

noun

1. a metal or paper medium of exchange that is in current use in a particular country

2. general acceptance or circulation; prevalence

   the currency of ideas

3. the period of time during which something is valid, accepted, or in force

4. the act of being passed from person to person

5. (formerly) the local medium of exchange, esp in the colonies, as distinct from sterling

6. slang

   1. (formerly) the native-born Australians, as distinct from the British immigrants

   2. ( as modifier )

      a currency lad

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currency Cultural  

1. Any form of money in actual use as a medium of exchange.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• currencies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of currency

From the Medieval Latin word currentia, dating back to 1650–60. See current, -ency

Explanation

Currency is the paper and coin money that a country uses to conduct business. The United States uses a currency that's made up of dollars, quarters, nickels, dimes, and pennies. Just about every country has its own currency — the money its people use to pay for their groceries, clothes, and other goods. Paper currency in the United States is all green and can confuse people who use bills with different colors for different denominations. In addition to describing a country's monetary system, currency means something that is accepted or used. The slang word "daddy-o" was the currency in the 1950s, but people who say it today can expect to receive strange looks.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

currency currencies

A: Investors buy currency-hedged products for a couple of reasons, mainly to take a currency play—a view on the dollar—or to keep their portfolios consistent in a single currency.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

On currency markets, the euro remains wedged at lows last seen in June last year following another heavy fall amid worries about France's high debt levels, which have spooked bond markets.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

The recent rally in sterling versus the euro largely reflects French debt concerns but the U.K. currency could start to receive support from BOE policy if it lifts rates in November, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

While the steps helped stem the rupee's losses, the currency has faced fresh challenges as foreign investors continue to dump Indian equities and crude hovers around $100 a barrel.

From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026

Seven years later, when the North Korean government launched a disastrous currency reform that impoverished and enraged tens of thousands of traders, the news was reported within hours by Free North Korea Radio.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden

Citibank boosted its 12-month bitcoin target price to $113,000 from $82,000 amid renewed concern that large government deficits could erode the value of fiat currencies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat known for taking a skeptical stance on virtual currencies.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026

In doing so, the RBI shifted gears to join several central banks around the world who have raised rates to curb price rises or boost their currencies.

From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026

In recent years authorities in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Botswana have also issued warnings against misusing the national currencies.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

I started the ponderous conversion between currencies, then smiled as I realized it was unnecessary.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Related Words

• cash