quid

¹ American  

[kwid] / kwɪd /

noun

1. a portion of something, especially tobacco, that is to be chewed but not swallowed.

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quid ² American  

[kwid] / kwɪd /

noun

plural

quid

1. British Informal. one pound sterling.

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quid ¹ British  

/ kwɪd /

noun

1. slang one pound sterling

2. slang in a very favourable or advantageous position

3. slang mentally subnormal

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quid ² British  

/ kwɪd /

noun

1. a piece of tobacco, suitable for chewing

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Etymology

Origin of quid¹

First recorded in 1720–30; dialectal variant of cud

Origin of quid²

First recorded in 1680–90; origin uncertain

Explanation

A quid is a hunk or wad of something you chew. I don't recommend shoving a quid of gum in your mouth right before you give your speech. Quid, defined in the 1720s as "a portion suitable to be chewed or held in the mouth," shares a source with cud, as in what a cow chews. The Old English root of both is cudu, "gum or resin." Quid is also British slang for one pound sterling, which may derive from the Latin word meaning "that which is." Order fish and chips in a London pub and you may hear, "That'll be six quid, mate."

Example Sentences

“It’s Easter, the Vatican is involved in pushing for humanitarian gestures on the part of Cuba as well as Trump. It looks like a humanitarian quid pro quo,” Kornbluh said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

District Judge Katherine Menendez, presiding over Minnesota’s request to end what locals officials have called a federal occupation, seemed to recognize the quid pro quo at play.

From Salon • Jan. 28, 2026

"You're lucky to get vegetables for under a quid at the moment, so obviously we've got to take advantage of this," Lee Stewart explains from his spot in the queue.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2025

"I'd be a billionaire if I had a quid for every person that recited that poem at their wedding," Clarke remarks.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2025

Kat admitted to the fifty quid we’d not given back since being at the Eye.

From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd