rupee

American  

[roo-pee, roo-pee] / ruˈpi, ˈru pi /

noun

1. a cupronickel coin and monetary unit of India, Nepal, and Pakistan, equal to 100 paise. R., Re.

2. a cupronickel coin and monetary unit of Mauritius, the Seychelles, and Sri Lanka, equal to 100 cents.

3. Also called rufiyaa.  a coin and monetary unit of the Maldives, equal to 100 laris.

4. a former monetary unit of Bhutan, equal to 100 naye paise.

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rupee British  

/ ruːˈpiː /

noun

1. the standard monetary unit of India, Nepal, and Pakistan (divided into 100 paise), Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and the Seychelles (divided into 100 cents)

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Etymology

Origin of rupee

First recorded in 1605–15, rupee is from the Hindi word rupayā

Example Sentences

A lower rupee could well help bump up India's exports competitiveness and in comparison to past crises, Delhi's comfortable forex cover gives it adequate cushion to tide over the crisis, experts say.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

The Indian rupee and most other Asian currencies weakened against the dollar amid worries over economic growth in the region.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Citi retains its buy rating and 1,200 Indian rupee target price.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

That means less rupee liquidity for India’s banks, which will have to curtail lending and slow the economy in response.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

Old Granny, bent low on her stick, came bringing a rupee which she gave me to keep for the child.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya