adjective
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of or relating to money or currency
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of or relating to monetarism
a monetary policy
Synonym Usage
See financial.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of monetary
First recorded in 1660–70; from Late Latin monētārius “pertaining to the mint”; see money, -ary
Explanation
If it has to do with money or currency, it’s monetary, like your childhood toy collection that has no monetary value, but you love it nonetheless. The adjective monetary is related to a Latin word that means “mint,” which is not just a refreshing gum or ice cream flavor but, in this case, where money is made. Anything that pertains to money can be described as monetary, like a country whose monetary system consists of metal coins of different denominations or an antiques expert who can tell you the monetary value of the old things in our attic.
Vocabulary lists containing monetary
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "M"
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Geography and World Regions
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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.
“We remain in the ‘middle path’ for monetary policy,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
"We are very worried, because most pastors here depend on preaching to take care of their families through the monetary gifts offered by passengers," he says.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
That matters because economies and markets that grew up around near-zero rates and easy monetary policies are still adjusting to the new backdrop, she noted.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 3, 2026
The Reserve Bank of India will announce its monetary policy decision on Wednesday amid rising inflation and strong economic growth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
He was pretty sure that the Thrift Market or Holman’s would not approve of this new monetary system.
From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
