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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 booming business of sports has attracted a flood of private equity investment and even the most notable franchises require the influx of cash to keep up in the arms race.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

But they are benefiting from higher interest rates and continue to return cash to investors through share buybacks and dividends, says Blackrock’s chief investment officer for fundamental equities, Helen Jewell.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

The same goes for knowing to shop around for car insurance, understanding cash inflows and outflows so they don’t spend more than they earn, and choosing to invest money wisely to meet their goals.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026

The internet-savvy and unscrupulous were quick to cash in.

From Salon ● Aug. 21, 2026

The various CDOs you make from the bonds will go bad not right then but after some trustee sorts out whether there will ever be enough cash to pay them off.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

That would leave Matty Cash, Pau Torres, Victor Lindelof, John McGinn and Emi Buendia as those who remain from the 11 that started in Istanbul.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

Cash sits in around 8% of sides, and is first choice as right-back.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

The “rethinking of the traditional card form factor is something that’s really going to resonate, particularly with audiences like Cash App,” Jennings said.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026

The owner of Cash App and Square posted net income of $87.1 million, down from $538.3 million the year prior.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

“It’s Cash and Jewel and Vardaman and Dewey Dell,” pa says, kind of hangdog and proud too, with his teeth and all, even if he wouldn’t look at us.

From "As I Lay Dying" by William Faulkner

Related Words

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