fund
12 synonyms and 0 antonyms for fund, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A sum of money set aside or collected for a specific purpose.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use fund
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin fundus, "bottom, foundation" — the same root as "fundamental" and "fundus."
Full origin of fund →Frequently asked questions
What does “fund” mean?
The word “fund” means a sum of money set aside or collected for a specific purpose. In plain terms, money set aside for a purpose, an investment company, or the act of providing that money.
How do you pronounce “fund”?
“Fund” is pronounced FUHND (/ˈfʌnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “fund” in a sentence?
Here is “fund” used in a sentence: “They started a fund to rebuild the school.”
What part of speech is “fund”?
Depending on how it is used, “fund” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “fund” come from?
The word “fund” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Latin fundus, "bottom, foundation" — the same root as "fundamental" and "fundus.".
Is “fund” a common word?
“Fund” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “fund” have?
“Fund” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sum of money set aside or collected for a specific purpose.
What is the difference between a fund and a budget?
A fund is a pool of money set aside for a specific purpose, like an emergency fund. A budget is a plan for how money will be earned and spent over time. A fund is the money itself; a budget is the strategy that governs it. You might draw on a fund as part of following a budget.
What are the main types of funds?
In everyday use, funds include emergency funds, pension funds, charity or relief funds, and trust funds. In investing, common types are mutual funds, index funds, hedge funds, and exchange-traded funds. All share the same core idea: money gathered and reserved for a defined purpose rather than spent freely.
What is the difference between fund and funds?
A fund is a single pool of money for one purpose, such as a scholarship fund. Funds, used in the plural, often means money in general or available financial resources — as in 'we lack the funds.' So one fund is specific, while funds usually refers broadly to available money.
Can a fund also be a verb?
Yes. As a verb, to fund something means to provide the money for it — 'the council will fund the new library.' As a noun, a fund is the money itself, set aside for a purpose. The verb describes the act of paying; the noun names the reserve being drawn on.