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

As of the first quarter of 2026, about 41% of the Fidelity fund’s holdings are in U.S. government bonds, 28% in corporate bonds and 27% in securitized debt.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

The bullet points highlight Steyer’s hedge fund’s investments in fossil fuel, tobacco, private prisons and casinos.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Ackman says he is confident the fund’s price will recover.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

On Thursday, at the third time of asking, he managed to win backing from Edinburgh Worldwide’s shareholders to oust the fund’s longtime board and replace them with his nominees.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Red Pollard should have been the community fund’s poster boy.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand