Jefferson
2 synonyms for Jefferson, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A US two-dollar bill (informal, so called from the portrait of Thomas Jefferson on it).
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
two-dollar bill
deuce
How to use Jefferson
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
pay with a Jefferson
a couple of Jeffersons
Informal, mostly American usage.
Etymology
Named after Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president, whose portrait appears on the bill.
Full origin of Jefferson →Frequently asked questions
What does “Jefferson” mean?
The word “Jefferson” means a US two-dollar bill (informal, so called from the portrait of Thomas Jefferson on it). In plain terms, slang for a two-dollar bill, the way "a Benjamin" means a hundred-dollar bill.
How do you pronounce “Jefferson”?
“Jefferson” is pronounced JEH-fuh-suhn (/ˈd͡ʒɛfɚsən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Jefferson” in a sentence?
Here is “Jefferson” used in a sentence: “He paid for the coffee with a couple of Jeffersons.”
What part of speech is “Jefferson”?
“Jefferson” is a noun.
Is “Jefferson” a common word?
“Jefferson” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Why is a two-dollar bill called a Jefferson?
The US two-dollar bill is informally called a Jefferson because it carries a portrait of Thomas Jefferson. Naming banknotes after the person pictured on them is a common pattern in American slang.
Is a Jefferson the same as a Benjamin?
No. A Jefferson is informal slang for a US two-dollar bill, named for the portrait of Thomas Jefferson on it, while a Benjamin is slang for a hundred-dollar bill, which pictures Benjamin Franklin. The two nicknames refer to very different amounts of money.
Is Jefferson capitalized when it refers to money?
Yes. Because the slang term comes directly from the surname of Thomas Jefferson, it keeps its capital letter even when it refers to the banknote, as in "he paid with a Jefferson." The same convention applies to other bill nicknames drawn from proper names.
