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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Franklin D. Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address (March 4, 1933), List 1
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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.
The unit of Fitch Solutions cites Thailand’s relatively accommodative monetary policy stance and elevated global energy prices.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
Markets have had a mixed reaction to the moves, with long-term US bond yields touching multi-decade highs as investors digest having less data on how the Fed will make monetary policy.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
There’s also been confusion over future monetary policy at the Fed, preventing the stabilization of longer-duration Treasury debt, she added.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026
He has filed meritless lawsuits against media companies and social media platforms and extorted large monetary settlements.
From Slate ● Aug. 17, 2026
That metal was also in short supply—except for the US Treasury Department’s monetary reserve, which was located in a vault at West Point.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
