two cents

American

noun

(used with a plural verb)

something of insignificant value; a paltry amount.

We wouldn't give two cents for their chances of success.

idioms

two cents worth, an opinion, usually unsolicited and unwelcome.

Who asked you to add your two cents worth?

two cents More Idioms

see for two cents.

Etymology

Origin of two cents

First recorded in 1840–50

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.

Blue Owl on Thursday posted a profit of $15.5 million, or two cents a share, compared with $7.43 million, or zero cents a share, a year earlier.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Adjusted earnings-per-share were 29 cents, well ahead of Wall Street’s consensus estimate of two cents, and up from 13 cents last year.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

But several former prime ministers have rushed to give their two cents.

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2025

Most of the people offering their two cents are women in their 20s or 30s, which is about right.

From Salon • Mar. 10, 2025

Another penny bought a small reel of red embroidery cotton and two cents went for a pair of small hoops.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023