twopence

Or tup·pence

[tuhp-uhns]

noun

plural

twopence, twopences 

1. (used with a singular or plural verb),  a sum of two pennies.

2. a bronze coin of the United Kingdom equal to two pennies: issued after decimalization in 1971.

3. a former copper coin of Great Britain, equal to two pennies, issued under George III.

4. a former silver coin of England, equal to two pennies: issued only as maundy money after 1662.

5. a trifle.

twopence

/ ˈtʌpəns /

noun

1. the sum of two pennies

2. (used with a negative) something of little value (in the phrase not care or give twopence )

3. a former British silver coin, now only coined as Maundy money

Word History and Origins

Origin of twopence¹

1400–50; late Middle English two pens; two, pence

Example Sentences

I know the “real” scientists don’t give a twopence about Tenpenny’s claims.

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I paid twopence for the painting—half my weekly pocket money—and then asked the wrinkled shop woman what it was meant to be.

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Children who seemed to have escaped evacuation ran about on the grass shouting and laughing, the band struggled with music beyond its capabilities, and deck chairs still cost twopence.

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As I make it myself, I can offer to sell it at twopence per box, though doctors charge sixpence for a far inferior article. 

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The line between degeneracy and the ‘twopence colored’ type of religion is not very clearly drawn.”

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