pocket money

American  

noun

1. money for small, current expenses.

---

pocket money British  

noun

1. a small weekly sum of money given to children by parents as an allowance

2. money for day-to-day spending, incidental expenses, etc

---

pocket money Idioms  

1. Also, spending money. Cash for incidental or minor expenses, as in They don't believe in giving the children pocket money without asking them to do chores, or Can I borrow a dollar? I'm out of all my spending money. The first term, dating from the early 1600s, alludes to keeping small sums in one's pocket; the second alludes to money that may be spent (as opposed to saved) and dates from the late 1500s.

---

Etymology

Origin of pocket money

First recorded in 1625–35

Example Sentences

Pocket money underplays the earning potential somewhat, however.

From BBC • May 4, 2024

Pocket money was hoarded up several weeks beforehand, to provide for the latter; some boys even made their own squibs and crackers, and these were considerably larger and more formidable than those which were bought. 

From A History of Horncastle from the earliest period to the present time by Walter, James Conway

Pocket money had never been plentiful with young Prescott.

From The High School Pitcher Dick & Co. on the Gridley Diamond by Hancock, H. Irving (Harrie Irving)