pocket money

American  

noun

1. money for small, current expenses.

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pocket money British  

noun

1. a small weekly sum of money given to children by parents as an allowance

2. money for day-to-day spending, incidental expenses, etc

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pocket money Idioms  

1. Also, spending money. Cash for incidental or minor expenses, as in They don't believe in giving the children pocket money without asking them to do chores, or Can I borrow a dollar? I'm out of all my spending money. The first term, dating from the early 1600s, alludes to keeping small sums in one's pocket; the second alludes to money that may be spent (as opposed to saved) and dates from the late 1500s.

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Etymology

Origin of pocket money

First recorded in 1625–35

Example Sentences

If I didn’t work, I didn’t have pocket money.

From The Wall Street Journal

Seun recalls having his pocket money docked after calling him "Pops", a moment that carried a lesson in respect.

From BBC

"Honestly? I wanted a little pocket money. I like meeting all sorts of people," Mr Morita says.

From BBC

Beth and her friends would use their pocket money in the late noughties to buy magnetic earrings, badges and toe rings from the accessories brand.

From BBC

In reality, she paid the daily fee, and sat in the office writing online novels to earn some pocket money.

From BBC