dime

[dahym]

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.

dime

/ daɪm /

noun

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

2. very cheap or common

Word History and Origins

Origin of dime¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dime¹

C14: from Old French disme, from Latin decimus tenth, from decem ten

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

More idioms and phrases containing dime

• drop a dime
• get off the dime
• not worth a dime
• on a dime

Example Sentences

Contemporary newspapers published flattering portraits apparently written by publicists on Dillon’s dime.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

How the bill wouldn’t add a dime to the deficit?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

With Americans rightly concerned about affording coverage, the GOP should get off the dime and promote a solution that enhances insurance affordability and portability.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Guidance is up a dime and implies fourth-quarter earnings of roughly 20 cents a share, close to what Wall Street projects.

Read more on Barron's

"Companies can't move on a dime; there are incentives to keep supply chains in place and it's extremely complicated and costly to change things."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• reveal