currency

[kur-uhn-see, kuhr-]

noun

plural

currencies 

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.

currency

/ 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

currency

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of currency¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of currency¹

C17: from Medieval Latin currentia, literally: a flowing, from Latin currere to run, flow

Example Sentences

It put the U.S. at the center of the digital currency system that seems likely to transform how money moves around the world.

Read more on Barron's

The yen has depreciated against almost every major currency this year.

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The launch of those ETFs has fundamentally changed the entire bitcoin market, tying the fake currency’s price much more closely to the rest of the market because, increasingly, its investor base is the same.

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It would fall further still, giving up all its gains for the year, and leading a $1 trillion loss in digital currencies more broadly.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He cites the example of Japan and China where huge debt issuance caused monetary deflation to which their central banks responded by allowing their currencies to devalue.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• cash