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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 celebrities will be playing for a £100,000 cash prize for charity.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

The British tourist in Lalibela said online banking was working in Lalibela but there was a shortage of physical cash.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

It’s underweight both U.S. stocks and bonds at the moment, giving more weight to cash and emerging-market stocks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

Paramount Skydance is selling about $52 billion of debt to finance its $81 billion cash purchase of Warner Bros.

From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026

Desperate for cash, the financially strapped Dolley accepted $200 as payment for Paul Jennings in September 1846.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

Cash flows might be volatile until a building has been refurbished and filled with new tenants.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

Monk also started sending money via Cash App for bail, rehab and psychiatric medication.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

Back in 2007, Cash underwent brain surgery following a Stage 1 Chiari malformation diagnosis.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash said on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra that it looked as though "every little win" was celebrated by Alcaraz.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026

“You get that much because that’s how much you get. Cash it or don’t, it’s up to you.”

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Related Words

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