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Synonyms

dime

American  
[dahym] / daɪm /

noun

  1. a cupronickel-clad coin of the U.S. and Canada, the 10th part of a dollar, equal to 10 cents.

  2. Slang.

    1. ten dollars.

    2. a 10-year prison sentence.

    3. dime bag.

idioms

  1. a dime a dozen, so abundant that the value has decreased; readily available.

dime British  
/ daɪm /

noun

  1. a coin of the US and Canada, worth one tenth of a dollar or ten cents

  2. very cheap or common

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
dime More Idioms  

    More idioms and phrases containing dime

Etymology

Origin of dime

1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French di ( s ) me < Latin decima tenth part, tithe, noun use of feminine of decimus tenth, derivative of decem ten

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I am not particularly optimistic about ever getting a dime out of this thing,” Paxton said of his Unity investment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

Though many corporations are seeking refunds for the tariffs, consumers are unlikely to see a dime of it.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

From Champions League toe-pokes to swivelling on a dime in baggy blaugrana, the Ballon d'Or winner's very presence was enough to tune in for.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

That dime appeared to drop for stock market investors Monday.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

Aunt Kitty liked to save a dime where she could, and I imagined that Mr. Bangs, the office manager, appreciated that.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.