Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

hard cash

American  

noun

  1. actual money as distinguished from checks or credit.


hard cash British  

noun

  1. money or payment in the form of coins or notes rather than cheques or credit

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

hard cash Idioms  
  1. see cold cash.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

At least the latter pay their way in cold, hard cash.

From MarketWatch Jun. 9, 2026

“We are excited to lie constantly for cold, hard cash, but this time in a cool way, and we’ll make sure some of it gets back to the families,” Collins told The Times.

From Salon Apr. 21, 2026

To lure top AI talent, startups are turning to cold, hard cash.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 1, 2026

The impoverished North has moved to revive inbound tourism to earn much-needed hard cash in the face of sanctions over its nuclear programmes, developing lavish coast and mountain resorts.

From Barron's Jan. 27, 2026

Instead of attempting to settle the disorders which convulsed Italy, Karl turned his journey to good account by selling all the remaining Imperial rights and privileges to the republics and petty rulers, for hard cash.

From A History of Germany From the Earliest Times to the Present Day by Taylor, Bayard

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training