noun
Uncommon
Abe
ayb
Abe (noun) means a five-dollar bill, in American slang. Example: “He paid the cab fare with a couple of abes.”
noun
1
A five-dollar bill, in American slang.
""Gambling's not my form of masochism," said Carl. "Huh?" "So how much?" "The wad's mostly ones. Some Jeffersons. Two or three Abes.""
— J. Madison Davis, And the Angels Sing (1996)
"He paid the cab fare with a couple of abes."
"Can you break this abe into fives?"
How to use Abe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSlang for a five-dollar bill.
Common pairings
a couple of abes
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Abe.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- Abes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He paid the cab fare with a couple of _____.
Etymology
Short for Abraham, after President Abraham Lincoln, whose portrait appears on the U.S. five-dollar bill.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for Abe
See all rhymes for Abe →Frequently asked questions
What does “Abe” mean?
The word “Abe” means a five-dollar bill, in American slang. In plain terms, slang for a five-dollar bill.
How do you pronounce “Abe”?
“Abe” is pronounced ayb (/eɪb/ in IPA).
How do you use “Abe” in a sentence?
Here is “Abe” used in a sentence: “He paid the cab fare with a couple of abes.”
What part of speech is “Abe”?
“Abe” is a noun.
Is “Abe” a common word?
“Abe” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Why is a five-dollar bill called an Abe?
The slang term Abe refers to the five-dollar bill because it features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. The nickname simply shortens "Abe Lincoln" to refer to the note itself.
Is Abe used for other denominations of money?
No, Abe specifically refers to the five-dollar bill in American slang because of the portrait it carries. Other denominations have their own separate slang terms tied to the figures pictured on them.
Is Abe a formal financial term?
No, Abe is informal slang rather than official or formal financial terminology. It would not be used in banking documents or formal writing, only in casual conversation.
