funds

British  

/ fʌndz /

plural noun

1. money that is readily available

2. British government securities representing national debt

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Explanation

The money you have available at a given time are your funds. If you only get paid once a month, you have to budget carefully so you don't run out of funds between paychecks. The word funds comes from the Latin word fundus, which means "bottom," "base," or "a piece of property." It's not clear how the noun funds got from property to available cash, but perhaps the connection came because a person could base his financial security on being able to sell his land if he needed ready money. If your kids are low on funds, they will probably hit you up for an advance on their allowances. The request will probably begin something like, "How much do you love me?" Too bad that doesn't work at your bank!

Example Sentences

Sable finds people are often more comfortable committing funds to long-term growth once they know their bases are covered with more stable investments.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

The sales growth was a result of higher franchise fees related to a system-optimization program, as well as higher revenue from advertising funds revenue.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

First, there is $7.6 trillion parked in money market funds that could potentially be redirected towards AI if conditions were suitable.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

Currently raising multiple funds, the firm expects its latest private-equity pool to be its largest ever, Teskey said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Yet, by September of 1849, she somehow had the funds to rent a charming home on Troup Street near the expensive Third Ward, Rochester’s most fashionable neighborhood.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock