noun
Common
beans
beenz
Beans (noun) means informal way of saying an amount doesn't matter or is worthless. Example: “Without a receipt, that warranty isn't worth beans.”
noun
1
Informal way of saying an amount doesn't matter or is worthless.
"Without a receipt, that warranty isn't worth beans."
"Honestly, their opinion doesn't amount to beans in this decision."
"That old car isn't worth beans."
2
Informal British slang for money.
"I'd love a new bike, but I haven't got the beans right now."
"Do you reckon he's got enough beans to buy that house?"
"He hasn't got the beans to fix the roof."
How to use beans
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe plural of "bean," but also common in idioms meaning "nothing" or, in British slang, "money."
Common mistake
Don't confuse the idiom "not worth beans" (worthless) with "spill the beans" (reveal a secret) — they mean completely different things.
Common pairings
not worth beans
spill the beans
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Rhymes for beans
See all rhymes for beans →Frequently asked questions
What does “beans” mean?
The word “beans” means informal way of saying an amount doesn't matter or is worthless. In plain terms, the plural of "bean," but also common in idioms meaning "nothing" or, in British slang, "money.".
How do you pronounce “beans”?
“Beans” is pronounced beenz (/biːnz/ in IPA).
How do you use “beans” in a sentence?
Here is “beans” used in a sentence: “That old car isn't worth beans.”
What part of speech is “beans”?
“Beans” is a noun.
Is “beans” a common word?
“Beans” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “beans” have?
“Beans” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal way of saying an amount doesn't matter or is worthless.
Is beans used to mean money?
Yes, "beans" is informal British slang for money, as in "it didn't cost many beans." This usage is casual and would sound out of place in formal or financial writing.
Is beans formal or informal English?
In both the "worthless amount" and "money" senses, beans is informal and conversational. In formal writing you would use words like "nothing," "negligible," or "money" instead.
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