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noun B1 Intermediate Common

currency

KUHR-uhn-see

Currency (noun) means the system of money used in a particular country. Example: “The euro is the currency used across much of Europe.”

noun
1
The system of money used in a particular country.
"The euro is the currency used across much of Europe."
"They exchanged their dollars for the local currency at the airport."
2
The state of being widely accepted, used, or believed.
"The rumor gained currency after being repeated on social media."

How to Use Currency

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe money system of a country, or, more broadly, how widely something is accepted or believed.

Common pairings
foreign currency currency exchange gain currency

Word Forms

currencies plural

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Test yourself on “currency” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The euro is the _____ used across much of Europe.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin currentia, "a flowing" or "a running," from Latin currere, "to run" — the idea of money "running" or circulating through an economy.

Origin: Medieval Latin

Related Words

Rhymes for currency

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “currency” mean?

The word “currency” means the system of money used in a particular country. In plain terms, the money system of a country, or, more broadly, how widely something is accepted or believed.

How do you pronounce “currency”?

“Currency” is pronounced KUHR-uhn-see (/ˈkʌɹ.ən.si/ in IPA).

How do you use “currency” in a sentence?

Here is “currency” used in a sentence: “The euro is the currency used across much of Europe.”

What part of speech is “currency”?

“Currency” is a noun.

Where does the word “currency” come from?

The word “currency” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin currentia, "a flowing" or "a running," from Latin currere, "to run" — the idea of money "running" or circulating through an economy.

Is “currency” a common word?

“Currency” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “currency” have?

“Currency” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the system of money used in a particular country.

What is the difference between currency and money?

Money is the general term for any medium of exchange, including physical cash and bank balances. Currency usually refers to the specific system of money used in a particular country, such as the pound, the dollar, or the euro.

Is currency countable or uncountable?

Both, depending on the sense. It is countable when comparing different national systems of money ('trading in several currencies') and uncountable when it means general acceptance or circulation ('the theory still has currency').

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