finance

American  

[fi-nans, fahy-nans] / fɪˈnæns, ˈfaɪ næns /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of finance

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

Explanation

To finance something is to pay for it, like using the money you earn at your part-time job to finance your cell phone bill. As a verb, it carries two very different meanings: "to pay for" or "obtain on credit." So, if you can finance your trip, it means you have the money to pay for it. Anyone who works in finance, meaning the banking and investment industry, will tell you plenty of people get in trouble by letting credit cards finance things like vacations.

Example Sentences

The two-time US Open winner said he was "completely shocked" by the PIF announcement as he believed it would finance LIV Golf until 2032.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

Hotter weather will strain energy grids already experiencing fuel shortages, as populations seek to cool homes and workplaces, warned Haneea Isaad, energy finance specialist at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

Mnuchin said a 30-year bond yield near 5% reflects inflation uncertainty from the Iran war, but also the higher costs required to finance the U.S. on a longer-term basis.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

Lisa Washburn, a managing director at bond research firm Municipal Market Analytics, said Ciccarone’s study is a first step toward filling a longstanding information gap in municipal finance.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

Almost immediately, he was corralled by an acquaintance of mine, a beautiful and high-powered woman who worked in finance.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

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