finance

[fi-nans, fahy-nans]

noun

1. the management of revenues; the conduct or transaction of money matters generally, especially those affecting the public, as in the fields of banking and investment.

2. finances, the monetary resources, as of a government, company, organization, or individual; revenue.

verb (used with object)

financed, financing 

1. to supply with money or capital; obtain money or credit for.

verb (used without object)

financed, financing 

1. to raise money or capital needed for financial operations.

finance

/ fɪˈnæns, ˈfaɪnæns /

noun

1. the system of money, credit, etc, esp with respect to government revenues and expenditures

2. funds or the provision of funds

3. (plural) funds; financial condition

verb

1. (tr) to provide or obtain funds, capital, or credit for

2. (intr) to manage or secure financial resources

Other Word Forms

• financeable adjective
• prefinance verb (used with object)
• self-finance verb (used with object)
• superfinance noun
• underfinance verb (used with object)
• unfinanced adjective
• well-financed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of finance¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English finaunce, from Anglo-French, Middle French finance, from fin(er) “to end, settle, pay” ( fine ² ) + -ance -ance

Word History and Origins

Origin of finance¹

C14: from Old French, from finer to end, settle by payment

Example Sentences

China has financed tens of billions of pounds' worth of investment in UK businesses and projects this century, some of which gave it access to military-grade technology, BBC Panorama has learned.

Read more on BBC

Investor appetite for data-center debt is so strong that some money managers have booked billion-dollar gains in a matter of days, even before construction of the facilities they are financing is complete.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The question of finance is a complex one.

Read more on BBC

Democrats made up the largest share of respondents who said they were pessimistic, even though comfortable with their current finances.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He made himself chairman of the boards of Fannie and Freddie, axed directors and executives and installed new leaders, some with little to no known experience in mortgage finance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• back 
• bankroll 
• fund 
• guarantee 
• promote 
• sponsor 
• subsidize 
• support 
• underwrite